5 Ways to Share Gratitude This Holiday Season
Did you know that some studies have shown that the positive effects of sharing gratitude can make you feel happier for months afterward? In his 2005 study, Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, the father of positive psychology that I present in my book: 21 Days to Happiness, had participants hand-deliver letters to people thanking them for doing something kind. The people who did this felt an immediate increase in happiness, and the effects lasted for months after the delivery of the letter. Gratitude can be a powerful force that brings happiness to ourselves and others. Here are 5 ways to share gratitude and give lift your own happiness level.
1. Hand-deliver a Note Thanking Someone for Kindness
Just like the participants in Dr. Seligman’s study, you can write and hand-deliver a note, card or letter to someone you’ve never thanked for their kindness. It only takes a few moments to write a short note acknowledging someone for their thoughtfulness. You can make the note as simple or elaborate as you would like. The important thing is to express thanks and deliver the message to the person you’d like to show your appreciation for. Of course, if hand delivery is not practical, a simple text, email or post will do the job!
2. Start a Gratitude Journal
In one study on gratitude, participants wrote down five things they felt grateful for each week. They reported a greater sense of optimism and fewer instances of headaches, colds, and skin issues.
Making note of your blessings or things you’re grateful for in a journal also allows you to flip back through the past entries and reflect on what you’ve listed. You may want to start a yearly ritual of reviewing everything you listed in the journal for the past year. This is a great activity to do with a partner, friends, and family as well. This habit is so impactful that I chose to write a whole chapter on it proposing a variety of suggestions to make it a habit.
3. Do Something Kind for Someone Else
An act of kindness can be as simple as holding the door for a stranger or picking up coffee for a coworker or friend. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, though those can make someone feel special, too. The beautiful thing about doing something kind for others is that it boosts our happiness no matter how large or small the favor is.
4. Be Present
As we head into the holiday season, be careful not to let the to-do lists and holiday plans crowd out the quiet spaces in your mind. Make it a point to stay in the moment as you go about your day, especially as you have conversations with others. If you notice your mind wandering, it’s okay. No shame! Simply draw your attention back to the moment.
5. Let Gratitude Guide You This Season
As you make holiday plans, think about the things you are most grateful for. Is there a person you’re thankful to have in your life? Are there activities you’re grateful to have the chance to experience? Find ways to make those people or those activities a part of your holiday season. This might mean planning a “Friendsgiving” meal with the ones you love or making the time to have a coffee chat. Having multiple special activities or events to look forward to helps center gratitude and joy in your holiday season.
Learn More About Gratitude and Happiness
One of the things I’m grateful for this year is that my book, 21 Days to Happiness, will be available in French AND I am launching the updated, 2nd edition of the English book just in time for the holidays. The new translated edition releases on November 27, 2024. Each day of the 21-day journey identifies an area of our lives that contributes to our overall happiness and teaches what we can do to start living happier lives today. Day 1 focuses specifically on gratitude practices, and the impact gratitude has on our lives.
Ask us about our KCC interactive conference on Happiness at Work. We can present this practical, science-based program to your company for all employees or for a specific team.
