During the beginning of the new year many people start fresh with a word of the year, what if this year your word was joy or gratitude? It can be difficult to enjoy our everyday life, but our mental health needs to live an overall life of gratitude. Read on to learn more about cultivating a joyful lifestyle throughout the good and difficult times.
Do you have to be happy all the time? No, there is a difference between happy and grateful or joyful. What is it?
The definition of happiness is feeling or showing pleasure or contentment in the moment.
The definition of grateful is feeling or showing appreciation or being thankful that is valuable to you.
Being grateful and joyful is a state of mind that takes work. It is not an easy journey, but one that is worth it once you build the habit.
There have been proven benefits to practicing gratitude:
- Better sleep
- Improved focus
- Higher self-esteem
- Positive interactions with friends and family
- Reduces stress and can have physical health benefits
So how do you and your family build a lifestyle of being thankful and joyful?
- Talk as a family or individually about what you are thankful for. It can just be 5 minutes a day, but sharing out loud is meaningful. Start with once a week, and build on that. If you eat together as a family, that is a great place to start sharing. If you are driving in the car somewhere, try the prompt, “What are you grateful for?”
- Write notes of appreciation to people in your household. This can be once a week and don’t expect a response. Leave it in their room, bathroom, or backpack. Let it be a surprise.
- If you are a writer keep a gratitude journal. It can be a paper journal or on your phone. There are a lot of prompts to find by searching the internet. Write daily, weekly, or monthly, and if you are comfortable share with your family.
Remember, this is not a one-size-fits-all, everyone’s journey to joyfulness will look different, and it will take time to build the habit. Keep up the hard work, even during the difficult times, because the benefits of being thankful will get you through the tough stretches.
Connect with local professionals who care. Reach out to Trinity Health Systems Twin City today to learn more about services designed to keep you and your family healthy! Phone: (740) 922-2800