Acknowledging what you’re grateful for is a healthy, productive process. Here's how it can help you navigate your fertility journey.
How can practicing gratitude help me?
Practicing gratitude will help you to feel more aware of and more thankful for the good things in your life.
These feelings may help you combat negative feelings, or deal with adversity that comes your way. Especially when you're navigating a tough time in your fertility journey, it can be very beneficial to take time to reflect on the positive things that you’re thankful for.
How to practice gratitude
Katie Bressack is a holistic nutritionist who specializes in women's hormonal health. We asked her for some tips on how she shows herself and her body gratitude.
Find a mantra
"Your mantra should support your mindset," Bressack says. Think of positive phrases that you can lean on when you're going through a particularly difficult period.
Write in a gratitude journal
One of the best ways to feel more grateful is to start writing in a gratitude journal. Ideally, you’d want to take a few minutes each day to write down one, or multiple things, that you feel grateful for that day. These can be as big or as small as you want. It can be anything from enjoying a nice walk, appreciating a friendship, or being thankful for a personal attribute.
Whatever it is, acknowledging what brings you joy will allow you to feel more grateful for them.
Reflect on your relationships
When it comes to friendships, romantic relationships, family, or work associates, ask yourself how these relationships are impacting you and your daily life. It can be helpful to reflect on how these people have made you feel, how you have made them feel, how they have added value in your life, and you to theirs.
This practice will help you feel more connected to the people around you, as well as more thankful for the people you have in your life.
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Share your thanks with others
Expressing gratitude towards someone is known to strengthen relationships. When someone in your life does something that you appreciate, make sure to let them know. This helps you to reflect on the positive impact that people bring into your life, as well as let them know that they are important to you.