It is half way through January and the holiday haze is beginning to wear off. We have set new goals and intentions and have hopefully had some time now to reflect on the year gone by with a deep sense of gratitude.
Gratitude is a game-changer, especially when we allow it to creep in and fully envelope negative emotions such as anger and depression. It switches the focus and opens up positive possibilities. Of course we all try to start out the new year full of gratitude and positivity, but for many it is a challenge to simply get through the winter months. It’s easy to get depressed when the cold and gloomy weather sets in. Gray winter days can easily turn ones mood to a similar shade. With spring still a ways out on the calendar, conjuring up a little gratitude in your heart can be a simple yet powerful way to brighten things up in the meantime.
There are loads of benefits to experiencing gratitude. Some studies have even shown that feelings of gratitude can have physiological affects on the body such as boosting serotonin and dopamine levels.
We all know that intensely beautiful sensation when you feel your cup running over and your heart bursting wide open thanks. While many of us long for more of this sensation in our lives, it can be challenging to elicit gratitude when we are feeling negative or just overall kind of blah.
Here are some helpful hacks to help you tap into your inner positivity and get those feelings of gratitude flowing. Remember, there is always something to be grateful for…
Write About It
Start a gratitude journal and put it down on paper. That’s right, simply write about what you are grateful for. Studies suggest that writing in a gratitude journal a few nights per week helps to calm ones mind and lower stress levels. Begin each journal entry by creating a small list of positive events. Try thinking of 4 or 5 things that made you happy that day and describe why they made you happy. Beyond the calming effects, you may just also experience a new perspective about the things that are important to you in life and what it is you truly appreciate.
Essential Oils
Boswellia carter, better known as Frankincense, is ideal for those wanting to “up level” their gratitude attitude.
Frankincense essential oil is considered sacred and has been used traditionally in meditation and prayer throughout different parts of the world. While this oil indeed has calming properties, it can also be a very empowering. Frankincense’s ability to balance mood makes it an excellent choice when calling in more positive energy and gratitude.
CBD Oil
In addition to negative emotions, pain and discomfort are also major inhibitors of gratitude. It’s hard to feel calm, centered and grateful when you have an injury or illness that you are dealing with.
Being in pain is definitely no bueno for overall moral.
Having dealt with lower back pain and an old shoulder injury for years now, I use CBD oil regularly. When I’m feeling like a little burst of cool with my pain relief I apply Canna-Fusion’s Cooling Oil topically directly to the site of pain. Within minutes of application I’m able to relax and can therefore go a bit deeper in my meditations. This convenient roll on CBD oil also contains Frankincense oil so the benefits mentioned above also come into play. Personally I am very grateful for CBD Oil and Cannabis Salve. They assist me with feeling better physically and also always get me right back to that place where I’m radiating immense gratitude for the earth and the powerful plant medicines that she provides for us.
