As mental health issues continue to increase worldwide, the search for cures takes high priority. While many new tools are being invented, some of the most helpful ones are being left behind. One of these valuable ideas is practicing gratitude. 

 According to Marriam Webster, gratitude is the state of being grateful. Not only can this include thanking a person when they do something kind, but also feeling grateful for the environment that surrounds someone. Especially recently, it’s been easy to get involved in the bad that is occurring. With constant news and social media sources pointing out the things going wrong, it can become difficult to remember that good that is happening, also. All it takes is a shifted mindset to change the entire way to live a life. There are many ways to notice and point out gratitude. Some of these techniques include: keeping a gratitude journal, expressing gratitude when thankful, or even taking a walk and making sure to notice the beauty that is right in that area.

 When having a bad day, a stressful meeting, or an upsetting conversation, it is easy to get lost in personal emotions. This can cause someone to forget about the nicer things in their life. There are many benefits that go alongside practicing gratitude. Some benefits are: better moods, easing the act of going to sleep, enhancing self-esteem, bettering productivity, lowering stress, and even helping with mental illnesses. It is important to remember the good that is all around, rather than focusing on the bad. With this new, grateful mindset, a person’s life can be improved in a positive way.

 Whilst remembering to practice gratitude, it is possible to improve others’ lives, aswell. When one does a kind thing, people tend to remember, but may not do anything to express their thanks. A person who has decided to practice gratitude will be more likely to express themselves when thankful. This can turn someone’s day around when they are the one receiving thanks. Gratitude can also make a person more complimentary, which can make the person who gets complimented happier, for even just a moment. Sometimes, a moment of happiness can make all the difference.

 Although it can easily get forgotten in a busy life, gratitude is one of the most useful tools for self-improvement. With countless benefits to not only a person, but everything that person surrounds themself with, there is no doubt that it is very important. Even keeping thankfulness in the back of a mind, can improve the way the mind thinks and overall reacts to many things. It is always good to accept a challenge now and then, and making a habit of gratitude is a great new challenge to take on!