With so many pressures in today’s world to be more, do more, have more it can be easy to fall into patterns of thinking where we believe we are not enough and do not have enough. Whether this shows up in our personal lives, our professional endeavours or our relationship with ourselves, it can have devastating effects on our perceived happiness.
In my last blog post I discussed how mindfulness can offer a way out of some of these overwhelming thoughts. This week, I’m turning the focus slightly to the practice of expressing gratitude.

Gratitude has often been seen as a social norm, an element of a polite interaction, drilled into us from a young age when minding our manners. Say thank you, be grateful. But recently scientists have begun to embark on research aimed at understanding the role of gratitude in our wellbeing. The reported benefits from practicing or expressing gratitude are astounding as participants showed:

• Gratitude creates new relationships
• Gratitude improves physical and psychological health
• Being grateful enhances empathy and reduces aggression
• Grateful people sleep better
• Gratitude increases self-esteem and mental resiliency

After reading this list, who wouldn’t want improvement in all of those areas?
​So, how do we work towards being more grateful?

Mindfulness again plays a role – it offers us a way to pay attention to the seemingly small moments and encounters that we can find joy in, and thus be grateful for. From a smile from a cashier when we are having a tough day, to the blue skies after a long period of rain, there are infinite examples of things, people and experiences to be grateful for. It’s all in how you pay attention to them.

Here are a few ideas to get you started in your practice of gratitude:

• Keep a gratitude journal and regularly list the things you have appreciation for
• Challenge yourself to say thank you more often to those around you for acts of service
• Appreciate and acknowledge the things you do for yourself

Science is proving the effects of gratitude last long beyond the thought or words themselves. I encourage you to give yourself the gift of gratitude. You are enough!

Check out this book about how gratitude increases your happiness here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547085737/
Learn more about the research being conducted into gratitude here:
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/expandinggratitude

What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness, in its most clinical form, refers to a process that leads to a mental state characterized by nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment experience, including one’s sensations, thoughts, bodily states, consciousness, and the environment, while encouraging openness, curiosity, and acceptance. Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition offers a slightly different view: 
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way;
On purpose,
in the present moment, and
nonjudgmentally.”
We could say that mindfulness is a way of being aware of the present moment in a way that connects us authentically with our mind, body and emotions; allowing us to have a greater understanding of our needs in the present moment, a more accurate interpretation of our own physical and psychological symptoms, and often an immediate reduction in distressing sensations.

What does it mean to be mindful in this day and age?
The practice of mindfulness has evolved from ancient meditative roots in Buddhist and yoga practices into a modern day buzzword. If you google 'mindfulness', you will come across thousands upon thousands of links to articles, pictures, interviews and research which all point to the benefits of incorporating a mindful practice into our daily lives. More and more, the medical and psychological communities are recognizing the simplicity and accessibility of mindful practice. You can find some of the most recent research outcomes here.

How does mindfulness help with stress and anxiety?
Mindfulness is effective because it offers a way for us to create distance between ourselves and our thoughts. Have you ever considered that you are not your thoughts? That you exist beyond the narrative that streams through your mind? When we engage in mindful practice, we are able to access the calm stillness beneath the chaos of our thoughts and emotions. It is from this place that we feel empowered, energized and focused. 

Evidence has shown that consistent mindful practice has and continues to offer these outcomes:

• reduced rumination and worry
• stress reduction
• boosts to working memory and mental clarity
• focus and improved concentration
• less emotional reactivity
• more cognitive flexibility
• increased emotional intelligence and self-compassion

How can we incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives?
Mindful practice takes many forms, and it is important that you find a practice that works well for you. It may begin in very small ways, such as practicing eating a mindful meal, or taking 3 minutes to engage in mindful breathing before you enter your workplace, or return home. It may be that you pay attention, on purpose and in a particular way while you do the dishes. There are countless ways for us to be mindful - as it is just that - a way of being, rather than a 'doing' or a 'thinking' or a 'feeling'. If this sounds vague and a bit nebulous to you, you aren't alone. An important part of mindfulness, or any meditative practice, is to develop your individual relationship with yourself in practice.

Below is a simple mindful exercise that you can adapt and try out for yourself. I challenge you to try it out, taking note of your physical and emotional sensations before and after. If you would like to learn more about how mindfulness can benefit you, check out the following links or contact me and we can get started creating a personalized plan to tackle your stress.