Each year I reflect on the previous year. This habit was formed to keep me motivated by the many projects and goals that were on my to do list. Over the years, I have shared several thoughts about beginning the new year. I have urged you to not make resolutions but to explore what has worked for you and how you may change in the future for better health and well-being. This year I hope you will consider a year of gratitude. Why gratitude? Gratitude can lead to a more fulfilling life. Finding appreciation in everyday life can improve a multitude of things in life such as coping with adversity, enhancing your overall well-being, promoting feelings of contentment and strengthening relationships. It’s a mindset or a way to look at the world that can enrich our life. We all have moments of gratitude and during the end of the year and beginning a new year, we think about what we are thankful for. It doesn’t have to just be during the holidays and looking towards a new year. We can practice all year by embracing appreciation in which we can view life with greater clarity and thankfulness. Studies have shown that people who are practicing gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. These studies published on this topic support an association between gratitude and an individual’s well-being. One study showed that those practicing gratitude exercised more and had fewer visits to health care facilities. Other studies have shown that couples who took time to express gratitude for their partner felt more positive toward the other person and more comfortable expressing concerns. In the workforce, managers who say “thank you” to employees find those people are motivated to work harder. The findings also varied but suggest that gratitude is an attainment associated with emotional maturity. In older adults, gratitude has been linked to greater resilience, improved sleep, and lower stress levels—important factors for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Beginning a gratitude practice doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can create deep moments of reflection and joy. Here are some ideas that may help you begin. Start a Gratitude Jar – Pick out a special container and each night write a brief note of whatever you are thankful for that day on one side and the date on the other. These quick notes can be an experience, emotion, gift, relationship, an insight or something you did for another, or they did for you. It could be a memory, conversation, a quotation, an image, a book you are reading, or a song you heard. It can be anything that you appreciated during the day. Put the notes into the jar and keep them until the end of the year. Beginning the first of the year in a quiet moment, you open the jar and read about your year that has passed and all the wonderful things that you appreciated. A Gratitude Journal – Journaling helps solidify positive moments in your memory and is uplifting to revisit later. Just set aside a few minutes each day to write three things you’re grateful for. Be Mindful of Each Day – Incorporate a routine of taking a moment each day to reflect on what brings you joy. Perhaps as you begin your morning with a cup of coffee or tea or in the evening, as you begin to relax, take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Express Your Thankfulness – Take time to express gratitude to friends, family, or even neighbors. Whether it’s a phone call, a note, or a simple smile, showing appreciation builds bonds and fosters a sense of community. Practicing gratitude does not mean you will not have negative emotions, but it will magnify positive feelings and help you see the big picture and become more resilient when faced with adversity. It can help with boosting our immune system and heart health, calm the nervous system, help us make better choices, and build stronger connections. Whatever your reasons to begin a gratitude practice, you can open a door to a different viewpoint that values kindness in our lives. “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”–Brene Brown Robin Anne Griffiths, E-RYT 200, YACEP * Behavioral Change Specialist * Yoga Instructor * Meditation Facilitator * Personal Trainer * Author * Speaker *

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