Appreciation

Kids who focus on developing an appreciation for the positive aspects of their lives experience increased happiness, reduced hopelessness, psychological wellbeing, and a more positive outlook.

It supports a growth mindset. Applying gratitude will help future negative situations to have limited impact on you!

Gratitude begins with increased awareness of our own experiences, and as we become more mindful we realize we have choices when it comes to our emotions. 

There are four components to gratitude, as identified by UNC Chapel Hill’s Raising Grateful Children Project:

• Noticing: Did someone do something nice for you? Did someone give you something or take you somewhere fun?
• Thinking: What are all the reasons you’re thankful for this? Why do you think someone did something nice for you? Does this mean something to you? 
• Feeling: When you think about these special things or people, how do you feel?
• Doing: What can you actively do to express your gratitude for this person, place, or thing? 

​You can use these ideas through:

• Write daily in a gratitude journal.
• Listen daily to positive affirmations.
• Practice meditation and stillness.
• Writing (or telling) gratitude notes. See our fun little project using old glass jars here.

Gratitude and social anxiety

Research shows that one way to deal with anxiety is to practice gratitude (The Psychology of Gratitude, 2015 study). These studies show that by incorporating practices that acknowledge the positive outcomes in life, we can reduce anxiety and build stronger relationships.

Guess what gratitude does? It links our downstairs and upstairs brain. Actually it literally changes your brain for the better. 

Practicing gratitude and positive thinking on a daily basis throughout the year can change your brain and your life! The same area of the brain that controls emotions and behavior also controls higher-order thinking skills like focus and attention. A person's ability to analyze information can greatly benefit from keeping the brain happy through positive thinking and gratitude.
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Practicing gratitude is being thankful. But not like this:
"I'm so thankful for all my support. I really need to stop acting crazy about being called on in class." This kind of thinking will make you feel bad about yourself. You do not want to do that. 

Focus instead on the things you are thankful for every day. The good things that happen, and the things you would miss if they were gone! Use gratitude as a strategy In the Moment. See the links below for more information. ​