By IVPC Staff
Imagine you are on a dream tropical vacation that you have been planning for months to escape all your chores and daily stressors. It is winter, cold and snowy in your hometown, and you look forward to lounging on the beach in the warmth of the sun and playing in the turquoise seawater. Once you arrive at your resort town, it starts pouring rain, and the deep blue calm water turns into a sea of gray waves pounding the beach you were supposed to lay on. The weekly forecast is not going to change, and you are stuck for a week in a setting far from what you had envisioned.
We are often confronted with such scenarios that leave us feeling powerless and unable to control external circumstances. Our natural tendency is often to solve the problem, but in terms of mental health, practicing gratefulness may reduce frustration and lead to a greater sense of peace. Gratitude is about appreciating what we have, instead of focusing on what’s missing.
People tend to focus on negative experiences rather than positive ones. We are socialized to constantly achieve new goals, leaving little time to appreciate what we have already accomplished. This mindset can lead to rumination, which is often linked to anxiety, depression, and an overall decline in mental health and well-being.
Positive Psychology, founded by Martin Seligman, focuses on personal growth by studying the strengths that help individuals and communities thrive. Gratefulness plays a central role in this theory, leading to various positive outcomes: increased happiness, improved relationships, better health, and higher performance levels.
Gratefulness consists of intentionally redirecting our thoughts toward positive events, which helps recondition negative thinking patterns. According to M.J. Ryan, author of Attitudes of Gratitude, “Gratitude creates a powerful state of happiness because it returns us to the natural place where we notice what’s right instead of what’s wrong.” This shift in focus can significantly improve our mental health and overall happiness.
Here are a few ways to bring more gratefulness into your life:
Even though this dream vacation didn’t turn out as expected and you had no control over the weather, you still have control over the meaning you attach to your circumstances. Perhaps you developed significant relationships with others sharing the same experience, or maybe you enjoyed resort amenities that you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Time at the spa may have been more relaxing than lounging on the beach.
By focusing on what went right, you increase peace and happiness. Practicing gratefulness allows you to view your circumstances with a positive mindset, improving your mental health and overall quality of life.
Call to Action:
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your mental health and incorporate gratefulness into your daily life, contact us at InnerVoice Psychotherapy & Consultation to schedule a consultation today.
InnerVoice Psychotherapy & Consultation, with locations in Chicago, IL, and Skokie, IL, offers counseling services for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma and other mental health concerns. Reach out to one of our licensed professionals today and begin your journey toward healing and well-being.