Whether you are always plugged into the news during this pandemic or merely trying to go about life as healthy as possible, it can be hard to maintain a positive outlook. One bad news story can send our day straight down the toilet. However, there are many ways that we can combat this. One easy and proven one, practice gratitude.
But, how do we do this in a pandemic?
Recognize what is weighing you down
Practicing gratitude doesn’t have to mean ignoring your negative feelings and only focusing on the good. It also doesn’t mean that your negative emotions aren’t valid or important. Recognize what is stressing you out. You are allowed to be grateful and still feel sad, angry, or afraid. You are a human being, after all, and we are supposed to have all the emotions. It is okay to have multiple at a time.
Start small
If you are struggling to come up with things to be grateful for, start small. Maybe you are thankful for the clothes on your back, the air in your lungs, or the sun coming out today.
Practice first thing in the morning
Thinking or writing down what you are grateful for can help set you up on a positive foundation for the rest of the day. Practice gratitude before you even get out of bed, look at your phone, or turn on the news.
Don’t force it
If you are feeling too overwhelmed by the practice, fill the space in the morning with deep breathing. Take ten deep breaths before you get up and try practicing gratitude tomorrow.
Gratitude is a practice. The strength of the practice only gets better with time, and the more we repeat it. We can even repeat the exercise throughout the day when we are feeling negative emotions.
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