Gratitude Practice for Positive Change and Perspective

by Jonetta Moyo January 29, 2021

Woman taking deep inhale during breathing breathwork exercise

Why is Gratitude Important For You?

Giving gratitude and being thankful is the cornerstone of personal growth and development. Taking a moment to pause and give thanks can create a shift in your circumstances, change your perspective and motivate you to move forward.

Creating space for gratitude in your daily life opens your eyes to see your world in a more fulfilling and bountiful way. What you notice or give your attention tends to expand and grow. An attitude of appreciation inspires the awareness that as things come to you, they are exactly what you need, whether it be people, circumstances or challenges. This awareness will heighten the good times and help you weather the challenging times. Each day brings a multitude of opportunities to feel gratitude and appreciation which makes your potential for joy and contentment limitless.

Gratitude Journaling + Gratitude Breathing = Perfect Self Care Combo

Daily gratitude journaling is an excellent on its own but to create an even more powerful practice add Gratitude Breathing. This practice "opens" you open and syncs your heart and your thoughts.

Make a regular practice of gratitude journaling and breathing. Use this dynamic duo especially when you feel down, depressed, stressed or you are just having an off day. Gratitude makes a good day great and a bad day better.

Journal about something that you are grateful for, someone that you are grateful to or something that you appreciate about yourself. You can also journal about appreciation that has been shown or said to you by someone else. After completing your journal entry move on to this breathing exercise.

Here's how to get started:

**If you are an auditory learner click here for the audio.**

Begin in a seated position with your feet on the floor. Release any tension in your body by inhaling and exhaling a few times. Stretch your arms, neck and back for a further release.
Next, you are going to slowly take in a deep breath through your nose for a count of six.
As you breathe, focus on your heart in the center of your chest and imagine that your heart is taking in the oxygen. Actually feel your heart expanding as you take in the deep breath for a count of six. Put your hand over your heart for an even greater connection.
As you breathe "into your heart", think of someone or something that you are grateful for. In your mind, say, “I am grateful for _________________.”
Holding the “gratitude thought” in your mind, breathe out through your nose for a count of six, and as you do, imagine the gratitude flowing out from your heart and into your whole body.
Continue to Gratitude Breathe until you sense calm and connectedness. Try practicing this when you wake up in the morning and right before you go to bed. With an ongoing practice this exercise will come naturally when you really need to utilize this simple but powerful tool.

Upgrade Your Gratitude Experience

Take this gratitude breathing exercise up a notch by pairing it with the art of journaling. A journaling practice added to this breathing exercise can make this entire experience come full circle.

The Gratitude Inspiration Box can be perfectly paired with this. It includes bonus elements in addition to journaling to create the ultimate gratitude experience. Click here to learn more about the Gratitude Inspiration Box or check out my other Inspiration Boxes below that will work perfectly as well.