Here's How This Easy Daily Habit Can REALLY Improve Your Life!

Empowerment

by HB Team |

Wed, 24 Nov 2021

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It may sound dramatic (until you try it), but regularly expressing gratitude is quite literally life-changing. By simply acknowledging all the things you’re grateful for, you not only boost your mental health, but you can also improve your physical health. So, since it’s Thanksgiving, we wanted to give you a little reminder to express gratitude, plus some tips on doing it daily and all the scientific receipts to back it up.

The Benefits of Gratitude

When you think about it: practicing gratitude is a no-brainer. It’s clinically proven to make you happier and physically healthier. Plus, it only takes a couple of minutes each day. Looking for proof? One study demonstrated that it reduces depression and increases happiness, while another study showed that it reduces aggression and increases empathy. It has also been shown to improve your physical health as people who practice gratitude are more likely to exercise regularly and have frequent health checkups.

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And it’s not just your relationship with yourself that improves, as studies have shown that being grateful can improve your relationships with others. For example, a study of couples found that individuals who took time to express gratitude for their partner felt more positive toward the other person and felt more comfortable expressing concerns about their relationship. Even managers who remember to say “thank you” to people who work for them may find that those employees feel motivated to work harder. In short: say thank you to the world and tell people how grateful you are, and you’ll be happier all around.

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How To Express Gratitude

Expressing gratitude can be as simple as thinking about three things every morning that you’re grateful for. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. At first, three new things a day may feel repetitive, but there are so many things to be grateful for, so keep at it, and in no time, you’ll be expressing gratitude with ease. Don’t worry if the prospect feels overwhelming or uncomfortable at first; just stick with it.

Journaling

journaling

Our fave way to express gratitude daily is by journaling, and journaling has its own set of studies that prove its effectiveness. Studies have shown that spending 15 to 20 minutes, a day journaling can improve your mental health, lower blood pressure, and improve your sleep, which, as we all know, is the foundation of good health. We like to start and end our day by writing down three things we’re grateful for – it could be anything from a warm cup of coffee to a good night’s sleep – in our Huda Beauty Rose Quartz Self-Love Journal, $17.

We’re also in love with the Be Rooted journals and planners, $16 each, a brand founded by Jasmin Foster with a beautiful purpose: “to create a space for women of color to see themselves in a place they hadn’t been. Weaving culture into every design and message, Be Rooted inspires customers to explore their inner muse and celebrate self. We want our customers to know you are seen, and you belong here.”

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Big shoutout to Founder Dorian Morris of Undefined Beauty (her skincare products are some of our faves!) for bringing this beautiful brand to our attention.

If journaling every day seems an unlikely prospect for you, you can always list what you’re grateful for in your head or say them out loud to a friend or loved one. Ending the day by listing three things we’re grateful for is actually one of our fave nighttime rituals, and it can also be great to do with a partner.

Here are some journaling prompts that may help you get started: