An Attitude of Gratitude

Have you ever heard the statement “what you think about is what you bring about?” There is an intimate relationship between thoughts, moods, brain chemistry, endocrine function, and the other physiological systems in your body.

If you increase the amount of positive thoughts you have each day, you increase your overall sense of well-being as well as your physical health. Those who regularly practice gratitude each day report that they exercise more regularly, sleep better, have a stronger immune system, feel more alive, alert and attentive, and deal with stress better. Truly, the benefits of practicing gratitude can be endless.

“Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier or thinking they can't feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.”

~Harvard Health Publishing

Start bringing more gratitude into your life by simply starting or ending your day by either verbally stating or writing down just one thing that you are grateful for that day. I often end my yoga classes with the following statement: “Take a moment to feel nothing but gratitude, gratitude for this body, this breath, this time and this space."

Shared by Teresa Torgerson. Teresa is an experienced and passionate yoga teacher who is dedicated to ensuring yoga is inclusive and sustainable for all bodies and minds. You can join her for a beautiful Yin class on Saturdays at 10 am.