Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; it is being appreciative of what has been received. It is a feeling of joy that stems from recognizing the good in life. Gratitude creates a positive attitude, and it allows people to appreciate the present moment.
The 7 Day Gratitude Challenge is a way to cultivate gratitude in your life. The goal is to take time each day to reflect on things for which you are grateful. This can be done in a number of ways, such as writing in a journal, saying prayers or affirmations, or simply thinking about things you are grateful for. The point is to create opportunities for gratitude in your life.
Benefits of Gratitude
1. Gratitude creates a positive attitude.
Gratitude helps people realize what is most important in life, therefore When a person is focused on the good things instead of the bad, they are more likely to have a positive attitude. Your perspective can shift from one that always looks for problems and complaints to one that looks for the beauty in everything.
2. Gratitude improves your relationships with others.
When you are constantly looking for things to complain about, it is easy to find faults in other people as well. This can damage relationships with your spouse, family members, or friends. However, when you are grateful for the good qualities of others, they will also be more drawn towards you. Your positive attitude will make you more pleasant to be around, which will strengthen any relationships that you have.
3. Gratitude makes you a healthier person.
People who are grateful for what they have tend to live happier lives. As a result, they also have better physical and mental health. Gratitude can reduce stress levels and anxiety as well as depression. It can also decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation. Finally, gratitude helps people to sleep better at night.
4. Gratitude makes your day better in small ways.
Gratitude is a simple and powerful way to make every day a little bit better. When you focus on the good in life, it is much easier to find joy in even the smallest of pleasures. Taking time to feel grateful can help you appreciate what you have, rather than focusing on what is wrong in your life. This will make the little things in life all the more wonderful.
5. Gratitude makes us more giving
When we focus on the good in life, we tend to be more giving and compassionate towards others. We are also more likely to be happy and content with what we have. Gratitude allows us to see the good in life and in other people, which fosters a sense of peace and connectedness.
How Gratitude Changed my Life
Gratitude has played a big role in my life. I would constantly complain about others having more. However, It was when I started practicing gratitude daily, that I truly began to appreciate all the good in my life.
Whenever I felt negative or things didn’t go well for me, I shifted my focus to the good that came out of it.
For example, a few months ago I had surgery and I was in a lot of pain afterward. Therefore I looked at the good side to that which was that, because of the surgery, I was able to get relief from the pain I had been experiencing for years.
Gratitude has taught me to change my perspective and made me realize it is important to appreciate what you have.
How To Do The 7-Day Gratitude Challenge
1. Find a time of day to reflect
The most important thing is to find a time when you can take a few minutes out of your day to practice gratitude. It could be first thing in the morning, during lunchtime, before bed, or any other time you choose.
2. Reflect on what you are grateful for
For seven days straight, reflect on all the things you are grateful for. You can list them in a journal or simply think about them in your head.
3. Practice gratitude every day
By doing this exercise every day, you will be able to keep track of what role gratitude plays in your life and how it has helped to improve your own perspective. You will thank yourself later for giving this challenge a try.
Who Is This Gratitude Challenge For?
This challenge is perfect for anyone looking to improve their perspective and see how gratitude can positively change their life. People who tend to be negative or complain about things would especially benefit from doing this challenge because it will help them to develop a more positive outlook on life.
Day 1 – Think of 3 Things you are grateful for
Today’s task is simple.
Think of 3 things you are grateful for. You can either write these down in a journal or just think of them in your mind.
There are so many things you can be grateful for. Examples include
- I am grateful for a roof over my head.
- I am grateful for the food I have to eat.
- I am grateful for my friends and family.
Day 2 – Write 3 Ways you are blessed.
Today, we will focus on 3 ways that you are blessed. You can be blessed by a higher power and feel spiritually grateful, or you could also think of other examples such as :
1. I am blessed with a great family.
2. I am blessed to be alive and healthy.
3. I am blessed to have an education and food on my table every day.
Day 3 – Reflect on the good in your life…notice the bright side of things.
Today, you are to take five minutes out of your day to reflect on the good that comes into your life every day. You can focus on even the smallest things that bring joy into your life or you can think about large accomplishments.
For example, I am grateful for the warm cup of coffee I have in my hands right now. Or I am grateful that I can read and write.
After you reflect, try to find a bright side in what might otherwise be negative situations.
Day 4 – Random acts of Kindness
Gratitude can also be practiced by performing random acts of kindness. Spend today performing random acts of kindness.
This can be as simple as giving someone a compliment or opening the door for another person.
Doing this opens your heart and shows you the abundance that exists in your life.
Day 5 – Practice Gratitude Affirmations
You can also practice gratitude by reciting positive affirmations. These can be as simple as saying “I am grateful for my life” or “There is always something to be grateful for.”
Start the day with a few of your favorites and feel free to repeat them throughout the day.
Day 6 – Notice what you take for granted.
Today, take a moment to think about all the things you have that you don’t even notice anymore.
Some examples might include having clean water from your faucet or being able to drive somewhere. You can also be grateful for the clothes on your back and the roof over your head.
Day 7 – Thank someone for being in your life
The last day of your gratitude challenge is all about being BIG!
Think of someone in your life that you are grateful for and write them a thank you letter. It can be as simple as telling them why they mean so much to you or how they have helped shape who you are today.
20 Gratitude Prompts to Help you
1. I am grateful for my health.
2. I am grateful for my parents.
3. I am grateful for my siblings.
4. I am grateful for my pets.
5. I am grateful for my friends.
6. I am grateful for my home.
7. I am grateful for my job/career.
8. I am grateful for the food I eat.
9. I am grateful for the air I breathe.
10. I am grateful for the sun that shines down on me every day.
11. I am grateful for the moon that guides me through the night sky.
12. I am grateful for the rain that washes away my sins.
13. I am grateful for the rivers that give me clean water to drink.
14. I am grateful for my education.
15. I am grateful for the money in my bank account/savings.
16. I am grateful for the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet.
17. I am grateful for my family.
18. I am grateful for the love that surrounds me every day.
19. I am grateful for the doors that are open in my life to make changes or create growth.
20. Anywhere I go, no matter how far it may seem, there is always a place in my heart where home feels like home.
The 7-day gratitude challenge is a great way to get you started on the path of practicing gratitude. It can help you focus on all the good that exists in your life and open your heart to seeing the bright side of negative situations. By performing random acts of kindness, reciting positive affirmations, and writing thank you letters, you can make gratitude a part of your daily routine. We hope that you have enjoyed this challenge and will continue to practice gratefulness throughout the year!
