How to Be More Grateful During Times of Stress

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We have all moved through a TON of emotions over the last few weeks.  (Check out the CDC site for stress & coping) 

Personally, I have felt overwhelmed, vulnerable, frustrated, hopeful, sad, annoyed, grateful, disgusted, content, and worried on an almost daily basis.   

One feeling that I keep forcing myself to get back to is grateful.  I’m tremendously grateful for what we do have right now.   In times of stress and crisis it can seem daunting to be grateful, but it is possible.

Here are some tips on how to be more grateful during times of stress.

Practice Gratitude Daily

One practice that has been helping me be more grateful is writing down five things that I am grateful for every day.  I try to think of 5 different things every single day (although I have been cheating because our health has been on the top of the list every single day).  

What this has done is keep me focused throughout the day of things that I can be grateful for. Knowing that I am going to need to write down 5 things a day,  It keeps me looking for the positive in my life, rather than fixating on all the bad that is going on.   

Capture these items in a beautiful gratitude journal or a scrap of paper. It doesn’t matter as long as you write them down and hold yourself for doing so.

Make it a Family Activity

Practicing gratitude is an entire family activity. Every night at dinner everyone goes through and talks about their favorite part of their day and what they are most grateful for.  We then talk about these things as a family.

It has been really cool to learn more about what my family is grateful for.  At least once a week they surprise me and I learn more about them.

Speaking about gratitude as a family also encourages me to stay grateful.  Knowing that I need to set an example keeps me looking for opportunities to be grateful and speaking of gratitude more often.

Gratitude Letters

Probably one of the most powerful exercises that I have completed around gratitude is my gratitude letters.  Each week I write a letter of gratitude to someone in my life. I handwrite them a note and let them know that I am grateful for them and why.

This has been one of the best things that I have ever done. For one, it is so nice knowing that I can put a smile on someone’s face. Who doesn’t like to receive a note of appreciation out of the blue?  I  love being able to make someone’s day.

Secondly, it makes me realize how lucky I  lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life. We all take people for granted sometimes. This exercise has encouraged me to be more grateful for others.  As a result, it has made me a more grateful person.

I  absolutely LOVE ‘Letters for a Year of Gratitude’. This book is filled with 52 perforated notes with writing prompts to help get you started. You simply write your note, tear it out, seal it with the included stickers, put on a stamp, and send it.

Use a Visual Reminder

Another way that you can be more grateful during times of stress is to keep a visual reminder around. We all want to be more grateful but sometimes we simply forget.  A visual reminder can serve as a reminder to look for opportunities to be grateful.

A gratitude bracelet is a great visual cue to trigger thoughts of gratitude.  Every time you look at your bracelet it can serve as a reminder to be grateful.

You can also use something like a post-it note on your computer monitor, a favorite picture posted on your fridge, or even a plant that you place in your home.  It can be anything as long as you tell yourself that whenever you see that object, you are going to take a moment and be grateful.

Worst Case Scenario

Sometimes, it can seem like there is nothing to be grateful for. This is especially true in times of stress and crisis. When you are having a hard time being grateful, try thinking about the worst possible scenario for your current crisis.

For example, with the Covid-19 crisis, it can be hard to think of things to be grateful for. Our lives have all been turned upside down.  However, it could always be worse.  Take a moment and think about how your situation could be worse at this very moment.  This exercise may trigger you to remember what you are grateful for in the present moment.

Sometimes we have to look a little harder than others, but there is always something to be grateful for.

I hope these tips help you learn how to be more grateful during stress.  Time are tough, but so are you!

Leave a comment!  How do you be more grateful during times of stress?   What tips do you have to share? What are your challenges in staying grateful during tough times?

 

Working from home?  Check out these posts to learn how to cope with working from home with kids.

Maximize Productivity When You Work from Home

Work from Home: Keep Your Toddlers Entertained

How to Homeschool While Working from Home

 

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