Is it enough to simply reflect on what we are grateful for or should we also express our gratitude? How can gratitude affect our lives and the lives of others?

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoquotes/

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoquotes/

Gratitude is a positive emotion with positive and lasting effects on you, me, and everyone. According to Teen Health, gratitude matters for many reasons like:

  • It open us up to see more possibilities and take in more information.
  •  It balances out negative emotions making us happier and less stressed.
  • One positive emotion often leads to another. It’s contagious!
  • Gratitude can lead to positive actions. When we feel grateful for someone’s kindness toward us, we may be more likely to do a kindness in return. Your gratitude also can have a positive effect on someone else’s actions. Thanking people can make it more likely they’ll do a kindness again.
  • Gratitude helps us build better relationships.

Expressing your gratitude can positively affect many things and people locally and/or globally. Yes! You have this kind of power. Teen Health offers three ways to practice gratitude. Click here to read more. It can be as simple as saying thank you to someone who you appreciate or offering to help someone with something. Donate food from your pantry or clothes you don’t wear anymore from your closet. Click here for 50 ways to show people gratitude.

Gratitude is Trending! 

Giving Tuesday is December 2nd. Join the movement by clicking here! Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 and it has become huge. Take an #unselfie, and connect with others to learn how tons of people all over the world are expressing gratitude this season. What do you want to give and why?

While we are shopping and eating yummy food with our families and friends it is important that we don’t forget to express our gratitude. This should be a year round exercise and not just something we do in November and December. Make it a habit!

Student Futures helps students develop life skills through academic coaching. We give students strategies to increase self-efficacy, self-motivation, and self discipline. Contact us today for a free consultation. Click here to learn more about academic coaching and how we are helping students in Jacksonville and surrounding areas.

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/