A beginner's guide to: Gratitude

thankfulness, appreciation, gratefulness

Gratitude practice lifts mood and strengthens relationships. Regular thankfulness enhances sense of purpose, reduces stress and improves sleep quality.

In a hurry and don't have any questions?

  1. Pause and take a full breath to help you to slow down.

  2. If you'd like to record your gratitude, grab a notepad and pen or use your phone.

  3. Take a moment to settle your mind on what you feel grateful for right now.

  4. Let the feeling of gratitude fill you up.

  5. To deepen your practice, explore more comprehensive exercises that you can integrate into your daily life.

  6. When you are ready, head to our Practice Guides and get started.

Need a hand getting started? Our app is packed with beginner-friendly Practice Instructions for every activity—and way more where that came from. Hit the button up top and get moving.

What is gratitude?

In a world where it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and the challenges of daily life, gratitude offers a powerful way to shift your perspective. By intentionally focusing on aspects of your life in a positive way – whether they’re big milestones or small, everyday moments – you can foster a deeper sense of contentment. Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you”; it’s about training your mind to see the good that’s already present, which can improve your mood and reduce stress. This simple yet profound practice is predominantly self-led, allowing you to reflect privately on what you appreciate most. However, gratitude can also be shared and amplified in group settings, creating a ripple effect of positivity. Ready to discover how this practice can enrich your life? Let’s dive into the world of gratitude and see how you can start today.

Why gratitude is good for you

Robust studies verify Gratitude lifts mood and strengthens relationships. Regular thankfulness enhances sense of purpose, reduces stress and improves sleep quality.

Lifts positive mood

Focus area: Lightheartedness (Impact rating: High)

Boosts giving behaviour

Focus area: Generosity (Impact rating: High)

Strengthens bonds

Focus area: Social connection (Impact rating: High)

Helps life feel more purposeful

Focus area: Purpose (Impact rating: Medium)

Adds a spark of energy

Focus area: Vitality (Impact rating: Medium)

People who love gratitude

Hugh Jackman

Actor

Emma Thompson

Actor

Shawn Mendes

Person

Ted Lasso

TV Show

Real people's experiences

Starting gratitude? Read this first

We bet you're on board for gratitude! Before you dive in, there are a few different methods and details to consider so you can successfully practice gratitude. It's worth taking a more in-depth look to find what suits you best.

Common styles

These styles offer simple ways to incorporate gratitude into your routine, whether solo or in a group.

Self-led gratitude journaling

Gratitude meditation

Gratitude circles

Gratitude letters

What you might experience

🤔

"What am I supposed to be grateful for?"

😊

"That felt good to acknowledge."

😬

"What if I can’t think of anything?"

😌

"This is better than I expected."

😊

"This does change my perspective."

What you need to know about gratitude

Let's compare three different ways to start gratitude for the first time: self-led (using online guided sources), group (IRL) or 1:1 (online or IRL).

Compare

Recommendation for first-timer

Availability

Average cost per session

Special equipment required

Potential for socialisation & community

Safety & skill building

Space or privacy required

Ease of scheduling

Setup time

Active practice time

Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

The word “gratitude” comes from the Latin word gratus , meaning "pleasing" or "thankful."

Oprah Winfrey is known for promoting the practice of keeping a gratitude journal.

People who regularly express gratitude tend to have stronger immune systems.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” - Cicero

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2 facts

Popular memes

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4 memes

Academic research we rate

Divergent effects of brief contemplative practices in response to an acute stressor: A randomized controlled trial of brief breath awareness, loving-kindness, gratitude or an attention control practice

Hirshberg, M. J., Goldberg, S. B., Schaefer, S. M., Flook, L., Findley, D., & Davidson, R. J. (2018). Divergent effects of brief contemplative practices in response to an acute stressor: A randomized controlled trial of brief breath awareness, loving-kindness, gratitude or an attention control practice. PLOS ONE, 13(12), e0207765. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207765

Enhancing Meaning in Life and Psychological Well-Being Among a European Cohort of Young Adults via a Gratitude Intervention

Czyżowska, N., & Gurba, E. (2022). Enhancing Meaning in Life and Psychological Well-Being Among a European Cohort of Young Adults via a Gratitude Intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.751081

Gratitude as Mood Mediates the Effects of a 6-Weeks Gratitude Intervention on Mental Well-Being

Bohlmeijer, E., Kraiss, J., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., & ten Klooster, P. (2022). Gratitude as Mood Mediates the Effects of a 6-Weeks Gratitude Intervention on Mental Well-Being: Post hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.799447

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7 research pieces

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