Pause and be grateful

WELLBEING PRACTITIONER, HEALTHWELL SOLUTIONS & BECALMED SPA By Caroline Hurley

I.I.H.H.T. ART(Reg)

“For my part, I am almost contented just now, and very thankful. Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.” Charlotte Bronte

These words were written nearly 200 years ago and are just as relevant now. The following mindful practices encourage reflection, giving you a moment to pause and consider the many things you have to be grateful for each day. As you do so, your breathing will slow, heart rate will become calmer, and you will feel happier. Despite all that is going on in our world now, looking for the bright spots will help you feel more optimistic about the future. Three gratitudes When you train your brain to think about three new things that you are grateful for each day, it will start to set a new neurological pattern of looking for positives, rather than negatives. Eventually, it will become a habit: until then, put aside a specific time each day – while brushing your teeth, or making your first cup of coffee – or set a reminder on your phone. Journaling Writing down a positive experience each day helps your brain to relive it. Journaling your positive experiences also allows you to look back on the week/month and feel good about something, even when going through a stressful or unhappy time. When times are tough, it might feel difficult to practise gratitude – but this is exactly when we need it most. Practising gratitude allows us to pause, observe the thoughts in our heads and enables us to face the present moment from a place of happiness rather than allowing our past feelings or future emotions to run away with us.