Stardust & Bubbles

Maybe you keep a gratitude journal, maybe you say thanks before a meal, or maybe you don’t actively practice gratitude yet. Whether you’re new to gratitude or already embracing it, the science of gratitude is catching up, and the benefits are proving to be transformative.

Gratitude is when we feel thankful for the good in our lives. It involves taking a small moment throughout the day to appreciate what we have, whether big or small.

According to UCLA Health and Harvard Health Publishing, gratitude can help calm our nervous system by lowering our heart rate and blood pressure. Plus, gratitude is strongly associated with greater joy in life and helps us feel more positive emotions (because this tiny, simple act can rewire our brain to think more positively!).

Below, I share four simple (and fun!) ways to practice gratitude every day with the family:

1. Gratitude Photo Challenge

Start a family photo challenge where everyone takes pictures of things they’re grateful for during the week. At the end of the week, take a moment to go through the photos together.

2. Gratitude Meal Time

• Make it a habit to go around the dinner table each evening and have everyone share one thing they’re grateful for that day.
• It doesn’t have to be something big; it can be as simple as “I’m grateful for a sunny day” or “I’m happy we ate my favorite meal today.”

3. Gratitude Jar

• Place a jar in a common area of your home, along with small pieces of paper and a pen.
• Encourage each family member to write something they are grateful for whenever they think of it.
• At the end of each week or month, gather as a family to read the notes out loud and celebrate the positive moments.

4. Gratitude Ritual Before Bed

• Create a bedtime routine where each family member shares one thing they were grateful for that day (maybe right after story time!).
• This simple practice can help end the day on a positive note and promote a sense of calm before sleeping.

Fun fact: Grateful people sleep better, according to a 2009 study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research.

By incorporating gratitude into our family’s daily routine, we can increase the sense of abundance in our lives, appreciate the little things, and recognize the contributions of those around us.

So, what are you grateful for today?