Practicing gratitude has incredible effects – from improving our mental health to encourage better relationships with others. Building your capacity for gratitude is not difficult at all. It just takes some practice. The more you can bring your attention to the things you feel grateful for, the more you will notice the feeling of gratitude and abundance that will eventually become a new and healthy habit.

Why not be grateful about the little things? This approach will make you appreciate what you already have and take the focus off of the things that are wrong and that you can not control. While you’re practicing positive self-talk and outlook in life, you can also think about the positive things that you have in your life.

 Studies have shown that gratitude can be an effective form of stress relief and can make you feel happier. For example, having a gratitude journal, where you write down all the things that you are thankful for at the end of each day, can help you relax. It can be something as simple as a pretty sunset, a colourful butterfly or an encouraging message from a friend, to big accomplishments like a promotion – it only takes 5 to 10 things to make you see the good in your day and take away any dark or stressful thoughts.