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Positively_Lisa

This stress buster of the season is as simple as saying "Thanks!"

Published 5 months ago • 2 min read

Reader

If your life has been like mine, it’s been stressful lately. That's life, especially as the holidays approach, but this year feels a bit extra with the election too, I think. Add to that the constant news cycle, work demands, and personal challenges, it can be tough to stay positive and resilient.

What to do? As cliche as it sounds on the surface, it’s time to offer Jon Kabat-Zinn’s quote: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf”. As a mindfulness teacher, he offered this metaphor for life to encourage us to find ways to become resilient. And while there are many options to choose from, one of the best and simplest is gratitude.

Gratitude is not a new topic for me. I’ve been teaching it for years and sharing it on the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast since the first season. This week, I knew we needed to revisit gratitude as a tool for stress management, so in episode 237 I review the science and benefits of gratitude, and how it can be a game-changer for managing stress.

What’s important about this simple, yet effective practice is that it isn't about ignoring the difficulties we face. It's about finding balance - using it as a tool to cultivate more positivity, joy, and resilience, even amidst life's ups and downs. When we actively focus on and appreciate the good things in our lives, it shifts our mindset and perspective. Gratitude releases feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, improving our overall mental and emotional well-being.

Plus, a regular gratitude practice encourages present moment awareness, which is key for reducing stress and anxiety. It's a powerful habit that can have a profound impact.

The best part? There's no one-size-fits-all approach. You can try journaling, mental reflection, or expressing appreciation to others. The key is finding a gratitude routine that feels natural and sustainable for you.

Do you have a gratitude practice? Or simply something that comes to mind when I mention gratitude? Either way, I’d love to know! Please reply and share your gratitude thoughts with me.

If you’d like more support in creating a practice, be sure to check out the dedicated podcast playlist and the pay-what-you-can resource bundle I have just for you (see details below).

Thank you for sharing this time and space with me. As the holiday season gears up, I hope you know how grateful I am for you,

♥

Lisa

Practicing gratitude is one of the simplest, yet most effective habits. If you'd like to learn more about how to welcome the benefits of gratitude into your life, check out the resource bundle below:

$5.00

Positively Grateful Resources Bundle

Gratitude is one of the healthiest habits we can embrace, yet it's often misunderstood. If you want to learn how it... Read more
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Positively_Lisa

Compassionate Productivity Strategist for Creatives + Caregivers

Check out the resources I offer below and request my Toolkit to reduce overwhelm, boost energy, and align your actions with your values!

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