An Attitude of Gratitude
The question of the day: What are you grateful for?? Name three things! Be specific!
In addition to our question about how were you kind today, we also often ask our girls this question. At first, it was met with eye rolls and grimaces and “oh that’s so cheesy” reactions. But we kept at it, and now it’s stuck as a family tradition.
How to teach it? Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. Gratitude can be expressed in many ways like naming 3 things each day that you appreciate, writing a thank you note, give compliments, be an active listener, do random acts of kindness. These are just a few examples.
Why stop and be grateful? Actually, science has proven that gratitude can change the brain. Crazy, huh?! Brain scans of people who wrote letters of gratitude demonstrated activation of the medial prefrontal cortex leading to increased sensitivity to gratitude and better mental health.
Here are the many benefits of a daily gratitude practice from 7 Ways to Remain Grateful all Year Long:
- Stabilizes emotions
- Boosts self-esteem
- Reduces greed
- Strengthens resilience
- Improves memory
- Increases energy
Also, if you encourage your daughter to keep a daily gratitude journal then on her bad days, she’ll be able to look back and remind herself what makes her happy. In addition, writing it down solidifies it in the brain.
This practice is also incredibly helpful for parents especially through the ups and downs of parenting an adolescent daughter. I have a few friends that believe they are happier for keeping a gratitude journal each day.
Read: Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier, Harvard Medical School
How Gratitude Changes You and your Brain, Greater Good Magazine, UC Berkeley
View our Attitude of Gratitude board on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/trueligirl/attitude-of-gratitude/
Gratitude journals for girls:
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