52 weeks of gratitude - Week 4

Home › Blogs › 52 weeks of gratitude - Week 4

January 22, 2018

"Happiness is the joy you feel moving towards your potential." ~ Shawn Achor

52 Weeks of gratitude: Week 4

Hard to believe we are already into the fourth week of the New year yet I am still inspired by the power of gratitude and the happiness it brings.

Recently while listening to a podcast featuring Shawn Achor, I was reminded of the powerful ways in which gratitude can improve our lives. In this talk, Shawn revealed research of the profound ways in which gratitude truly does create happier lives.

Here is the challenge Shawn suggests:

“If you can raise someone’s level of positivity in the present, then their brain experiences a HAPPINESS ADVANTAGE.”

“Your brain at positive performs significantly better (31% better) than it does at negative, neutral or stressed. Your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, and your energy levels rise.

The challenge to commit to 5 activities every day for 21 days

Record 3 new things that you’re grateful for (this rewires your brain to recognize and look for the positive) But they must be new, nothing repeated.
Journal daily about one positive experience (this will help your brain to relive that positive memory instead of the negative or embarrassing ones which tend to consume our thoughts)
Exercise (teaching your brain that your behavior matters) The key is to do small amounts of exercise every day Teaching discipline, and proving that you can follow through on intentions.
Meditation (producing calm and inviting your body and mind to focus on the task at hand).
Random Acts of Kindness (e-mail, Facebook, call or message by writing or saying one positive message that praises or thanks, someone in your life….

What a great way to start off February, or begin today by discovering the things you are grateful for on your path to wellness.

Check out more about Shawn with his Ted Talk and Books

If you are just joining, HERE is the first post on the journey