It’s so important to be thankful all year long, not just around the holidays.
Studies have shown that consistent gratitude and thankfulness can lower levels of stress, increase motivation, and help create a greater sense of optimism overall. The Thanksgiving and holiday season are a great time to reflect on your blessings in the company of friends, family, and a turkey, but for the rest of the year, here are five easy ways to be thankful all year long.
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Cultivate gratitude where you work
Encouraging a grateful and polite work atmosphere can do so much good for even the smallest offices. Prioritizing gratitude not only strengthens relationships between employees, but also creates a sense of trust, respect, and reward. When people know they will be recognized and thanked for their good work, even the smallest tasks, they are much more willing to perform to the best of their abilities.
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Hand write thank you cards
We all know how easy it is to shoot off a text or call someone to thank them for something, but sitting down to write a hand written thank you note makes your “thank you” all the more special. As old fashioned as they seem, people appreciate the commitment, effort, and personal touch of thank you notes. It not only makes them feel more recognized, but it also gives you more time to reflect on your gratitude towards that person. We recommend writing thank you notes for things other than gifts, like to the friend who traveled across town to get coffee with you, to a client after a successful meeting, or to a coworker after they helped you fix the copier.
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Keep a gratitude journal
Whether you write it down in a journal, on your phone, or on a slip of paper that you put in a jar, keeping a record of the good things that happen to you. Keeping a record of happy memories will slowly help you focus on the good in your life and tune out the bad. It can also show you what actions you appreciate from others, cluing you in to how you yourself can act in a way that will be appreciated by others.
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Say "Thank You!", and mean it
This one’s simple, but possibly the most difficult. It’s so easy to say thank you to others and either not truly mean it, or let it be lost to the wind. Practice looking others in the eye, pausing for a brief moment, and meaning the words when you say, “Thank you”. Your “Thank you”’s will be intended, meaningful, and appreciated.
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Let others know that they inspire you
Don’t assume that things left unsaid are known by others. If someone in your life inspires you to be a better person, tell them! (Possibly in a thank you note!)
While these are just five simple ways to be more thankful, we encourage you to show gratitude and thankfulness in other ways and keep the spirit of the season alive all year long.
