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How to Increase Gratitude in Your Daily Life

Kavish Patil
3 min readOct 6, 2023

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Gratitude is the practice of being thankful for what you have. It is a simple but powerful way to improve your overall well-being. In his book Think Like a Monk, Jay Shetty shares his insights on the importance of gratitude and how to practice it in everyday life.

What is gratitude and why is it important?

Gratitude is the appreciation of the good things in our lives, big or small. It can be expressed in many ways, such as writing a gratitude journal, saying thank you to others, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Gratitude is important because it has many benefits for our mental, physical, and emotional health. Studies have shown that gratitude can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, boost our immune system, and make us happier overall.

How to increase gratitude in your daily life

There are many ways to increase gratitude in your daily life. Here are a few tips:

  • Start a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you are grateful for. It can be anything, from your health to your loved ones to your morning cup of coffee.
  • Say, thank you. When someone does something nice for you, take the time to say thank you. You can say it in person, write a note, or even send a quick text message.
  • Meditate on gratitude. Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on the things you are grateful for. You can also use a guided meditation track to help you.
  • Express gratitude to others. Let the people you care about know how much you appreciate them. You can tell them in person, write them a letter, or give them a small gift.
  • Be grateful for the setbacks. It may be difficult to be grateful for setbacks, but it is important to remember that they can be opportunities for growth and learning. When you face a challenge, try to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Jay Shetty’s tips for increasing gratitude

In addition to the general tips above, Jay Shetty also shares some specific practices that you can use to increase gratitude in your daily life. Here are a few of them:

  • Chant om namo bhagavate vasudevay. This is a mantra that expresses gratitude to Lord Vishnu. You can chant it silently to yourself or out loud, This mantra serves as a reminder to express gratitude to those who have contributed to the spiritual knowledge we benefit from today.
  • Say “I am grateful for…” When you are doing something you enjoy, such as eating a delicious meal or spending time with loved ones, take a moment to say “I am grateful for this.”
  • Be mindful of your breath. When you are doing pranayama (breathwork), focus on your breath and say “I am grateful for my breath.”

Conclusion

Gratitude is a simple but powerful practice that can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. By incorporating some of the tips above into your daily routine, you can increase your gratitude and experience all the benefits that come with it.

I’m glad and enjoyed reading Jay Shetty’s book and grateful for it. It’s a wonderful book that can teach us so much about the power of gratitude.

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