Gratitude is one of my favourite self-care practices.

Gratitude is about recognising that something is valuable to you regardless of its monetary value & expressing this appreciation.

Gratitude has been linked to improvements in mental health. It also improves our self-awareness, our relationships & gives us a sense of fulfilment.

According to neuroscientist Alex Korb, we can’t truly focus on positive & negative feelings at the same time, so when we are expressing gratitude we are focusing on the positive which makes it impossible to focus on the negative.

There are so many health benefits associated with gratitude that it has been said if it were a drug it would be the number one best selling product in maintaining health for every major organ system.

The beautiful thing about gratitude is that the more you express it the more you find to be grateful about.

Gratitude is also said to be the highest state of receivership. If you think about it, we express gratitude when something wonderful has happened. So expressing gratitude in advance you are sending a powerful message into the Universe that your intention has already happened.

There are SO many different ways to practice gratitude.

3 grateful things – we play this game regularly. Everyone has to say 3 things that they are grateful for that have happened that day. My son’s 3 grateful things are: breakfast, lunch & tea or football, rugby & football again!

Gratitude journal – do you know that the emotion you go to bed feeling is the emotion you wake up feeling? Writing down every night all the things you are grateful puts you to bed in a high vibration emotion, which you then wake up in.

Gratitude jar – write down lovely things that happen when they happen & put it in a jar. When the jar’s fully open it up & relive all those little moments, which as Jon Kabbat Zinn says aren’t so little after all!

Taking some time at the end of the year to reflect with gratitude & appreciation is important for helping us to re-frame whatever has happened, after all every experience is an opportunity for learning & growth. Focusing on the lessons we learn even in challenging times can be incredibly empowering.

Instead of focusing what may not have gone to plan this year, focus instead on what IS working. This is a powerful way to shift the energy surrounding these situations. And if possible express gratitude for all that is working & you will attract more of the same.

To receive your own copy of the reflections meditation just email Alex at alex@alexbannard.com

If you would like to find out more self-care tips check out Alex’s FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulnessyoga4selfcare

Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbannard/

For short yoga practices & meditations check out Alex’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a more mindful way of living & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices for a happier & healthier way of being.