8 Simple Ways To Practice Gratitude As We Enter 2020

Diane Lam
Mon, 30 Dec 2019 00:00:00 Z

Gratitude is so much more than saying thanks. Here is how you can turn gratitude into a lifestyle.

PHOTO: UNSPLASH/FRESHH CONNECTION

Depending on how things went, it might not be easy to give thanks for the past year, but practicing gratitude has a ton of practical benefits: showing others appreciation improves relationships, being grateful before bed improves sleep, and expressing gratitude strengthens your resilience.

Gratitude is a natural anti-depressant. You can practice it anytime, anywhere. And best of all, it’s free. So why not make it a habit as we enter a new decade?

Here are some simple ways to practice gratitude in 2020:

1. Keep a gratitude journal

Countless studies and anecdotes have demonstrated the power of jotting down three to five things that you’re grateful for before bed. You don’t need to write paragraphs of text, nor do you need to journal on a daily basis – just writing a few lines in a notebook a couple of times a week will help you foster a habit of focusing on the good that’s in your life.

2. Greet and thank your bus driver

Bus drivers often go unnoticed. So come January 1st, greet yours with a sunny hello – you might not always hear it back, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve some acknowledgement for all their hard work.

3. Surprise a friend with coffee

…or with bubble tea, if that’s more to their preference.

4. Perform a random act of kindness

Practicing gratitude is so much more than saying “thank you”. Show how grateful you are for all the good things in your life by sharing a bit of that kindness and goodness with a stranger.

5. Give someone a handwritten note

Forget emails and text messages – write someone an old-fashioned note about how much you appreciate all they’ve done and how much value they add to your life.

6. Enjoy things when they are good – stop waiting for ‘the catch’

It’s impossible to be truly grateful when you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. In 2020, practice a bit of mindfulness by enjoying the moments and the seasons as they come, instead of worrying about what will happen or what it all could mean.

7. Learn to accept a compliment

Instead of deflecting the compliments people give you, why not embrace them? Whether the person has commented on your stellar work performance or your fabulous new shoes, there’s no reason why you should respond with anything other than a simple “thank you”.

8. See your regrets as opportunities for improvement

Everyone makes mistakes. But instead of wallowing in them, try to see them as opportunities to grow. You did the best you could with the information you had at the time. Now, do better.