Giving thanks is one of the oldest concepts in society, found at the core of most wisdom traditions and religions. Robert Emmons, psychologist and expert on gratitude, defines gratitude as recognizing the goodness in our lives (Emmons, 2010). When we are grateful, we appreciate both the action and the intention behind the effort given on our behalf. Here is how we will “nudge” you to be grateful this month…
Read MoreFrom the beginning, the Levelhead approach to developing a mindfulness practice was based on the assumption that people have busy lives and need to be able to practice whenever, wherever it fits their lifestyle. We realize that people are time-starved and have a limited desire for practices that require more than 5 minutes. Take a look at what recent research says about what is needed to develop a mindfulness practice…
Read MoreRecently, I saw a study that captured my attention because it aimed to understand the extent to which participants could establish a habit of gratitude thinking before sleeping (Lo & Leung, 2020). The researchers defined gratitude as an inclination to appreciate and savor daily events and experiences. Here is what the researchers found.
Read MoreThis is my favorite time of the year. I like everything about it. But what I like most is how everyone is just a little bit more cheery and kind. However, this year I've noticed a difference. We are a lot less kind, maybe even impatient with others. No question, there’s good reason to feel a little sad and disappointed as the pandemic rages. However, we have a lot more control over our level of happiness than we may believe.
Read MoreWith Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season, we are constantly reminded to turn our attention toward celebrating the good things in our lives with family and friends. However, this year will be different. Most of the things we have done in the past will drastically change. Because of this, many of us might be having difficulty finding reasons to feel grateful. With this in mind, I decided to share a personal story to offer a little inspiration.
Read MoreMany of us are working at home and so are our partners and spouses. Plus, students are home from school. And we all need our space. The problem is that most of us do not have homes that are set up to accommodate each of us having a private workspace. We’ll be able to get through this if we manage our stress and maintain a positive perspective. And, this is where gratitude can help.
Read MoreCOVID-19 has hit the U.S. and has shut down businesses and schools all over the country. College students are having to switch to online classes and forced to move out of their dorms and move back home. As a senior in college, I’ve had my final semester abruptly cut short. Yet, there are still things to be thankful for.
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