Gratitude Mindfulness

 Welcome to our look into gratitude.

Gratitude is a great mindfulness which can boost your mood and the moods of others. Studies show us that when we practice making a list of gratitude (3-5) we have high levels of happiness and lower levels of depression. When we then take time to share the gratitude with others, we boost their mood and again boost ours even more.

When I meet with students on Google Meet, I ask every morning for a gratitude. Sadly, what I often hear is "I don't have one." I want to ask "how can you not?" Instead I take time to share my gratitude, reflect on what might be important in life, and give ideas of gratitude.

Below is a lost of gratitude prompts:

Gratitude Prompts

1.     About yourself

2.     Something beautiful

3.     Military

4.     A song

5.     An accomplishment

6.     Something you’ve created

7.     A friend

8.     A smell

9.     A touch

10.  A taste

11.  A sight

12.  A sound

13.  What makes you smile

14.  Favorite season

15.  Something you like about Summer

16.  Something you like about Spring

17.  Something you like about Winter

18.  Something you like about Fall

19.  A holiday

20.  A time of day

21.  A country

22.  A state

23.  A city

24.  Any place

25.  About where you live

26.  A favorite food

27.  A favorite drink

28.  An ability

29.  A family member

30.  Any person

31.  Someone you look up to

32.  Someone you respect

33.  Someone who inspires you

34.  Something you look forward to

35.  A happy life lessons

36.  A difficult life lessons

37.  Something that challenges you

38.  A personality trait in yourself

39.  A personality trait in others

40.  Your heritage

41.  Item you use daily

42.  Most prized possession

43.  Hobbies

44.  Something about school/work

45.  Technology

46.  A movie

47.  A TV show

48.  A podcast/YouTube Channel

49.  A book

50.  What you do for fun

51.  Something that makes you laugh

52.  Something nice

53.  A part of nature

54.  A gift you’ve been able to give

55.  A gift you were given

56.  A hope

57.  A compliment

58.  A passion

59.  An animal

60.  A pet

61.  A family tradition

62.  Medicine

63.  Doctors

64.  Police

65.  Firefighters

66.  Fire Alarms—even in the cold

67.  Teachers

68.  Clothes

69.  Electricity

70.  Heat

71.  Air Conditioning

72.  Transportation

73.  Cleaning supplies (with a pandemic, who isn't thankful for this one!)

74.  Exercise

75.  Health

76.  Education

77.  Mindfulness—use mindful gratitude to be thankful for this practice which helps us be present, calmed, and focused

78.  Love

79.  Kindness

80.  Understanding

81.  Comfort

82.  Forgiveness

83.  Color

84.  Indoor plumbing

85.  Blankets 

86.  Giant Coloring Pages

87.  Sport you watch or play

88.  A value you hold

89.  Your faith/beliefs

90.  Favorite store

91.  Smiles (we had “what makes you smile” this one would be seeing others smile!)

92.  Hugs

93.  Kisses

94.  Free time

95.  Art

96.  Weekends

97.  Quiet moments

98.  Forgiveness

99.  Life

Maybe you have one I have missed. Feel free to share in the comments. Help us build a language of gratitude. 

Help your student take time each day to reflect on a gratitude. Make this a family time activity. Make it a wake up routine. Make it a bedtime routine. 

Each morning I write my gratitude list. Each evening before bed I write my list of "what went well today." I start and end my day with positive thinking.

I encourage you to try this and engage your whole family too!