dec 19/21 - How to practice gratitude...

A hardworking mama in Huatulco, Mexico

I am in Huatulco, Mexico! I started coming back to be with my family for Christmas and had to make a pit stop in Mexico for some sun, sand and to research their chocolate history in Huatulco for my Holistic Health Series for Chocoholics book that I am writing. To have the time and means to be able to travel the world to research for my books is amazing and I am so grateful for that!

This post is about being grateful for what you have. I came to Mexico not to go to the typical all inclusive resorts but to live surrounded by locals and absorb the culture. I believe the people of Mexico are full of gratitude. They are hardworking people, they are family people, they work together to earn money and are grateful for every little thing they have. I admire them so much and am so grateful I had the opportunity to spend a couple of months in Mexico witnessing their culture first hand.

Ways to practice gratitude…

DAILY - Each day, think of three things you're thankful for. Make it a daily habit to visualize what's good in your life. Start a gratitude journal. Journaling can be an excellent self-therapy technique. I use google docs for everything, including my daily gratitude. Since I am on my computer so much I find it easier to just pull up my “Gratitude “ doc and add to it daily! Do whatever works for you.

WEEKLY - pick a day of the week that resonates with you as a day that you feel is best to contemplate the past week and a day where you can set intentions for the upcoming week. I like Sunday for my day of self reflection, self care and just a fresh start to the week ahead. 

Since we now know that practicing Gratitude can actually improve our health, let’s consider the stages of gratitude and how we can experience each stage and benefit from its rewards. 

First – Feeling grateful for the good things in your life; 

Second – Expressing your gratitude to the people who have made your life better; 

Third – Adopting new behaviours as a result of interacting with those who have helped you. 

The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems. 

What are you grateful for today?

Thank you for following my journey to writing a book series!
Stay balanced,
​LeeAnna