Gratitude and appreciation go a very long way – not just felt by the recipient but the benefits extend to you as well. Not only will you both enjoy more intimate and connected relationships, gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, engagement and motivation, and improves overall mental well-being.

Gratitude is great for our brains too – gratitude can boost neurotransmitter serotonin and activate the brain stem to produce dopamine. Dopamine is our brain’s pleasure chemical. The more we think positive, grateful thoughts, the healthier and happier we feel.

It’s important to take a breath in this incredibly fast paced world, stop and acknowledge those beautiful people in your life that make it better, just by being in it. Here’s a little exercise for you to try.  We are calling it ’10 Days of Appreciation’.  It’s a thought provoker.  See who comes to mind when we ask these questions.  Spend the next 10 days thinking about who you’d love to share a moment of appreciation with.  Let’s get started.

Day 1 – who deserves a thank you?

Day 2 – who goes out of their way to be thoughtful?

Day 3 – who is great with kids – yours or someone else’s?

Day 4 – who are you feeling personally grateful for?

Day 5 – Who makes hard stuff seem easier?

Day 6 – who has inspired you to be better?

Day 7 – who do you call when you need help?

Day 8 – who is a compassionate caregiver?

Day 9 – who is your rock?

Day 10 – who gives you unconditional love?

Did you send a quick text message or a handwritten card in the mail to any of them? Was there someone whose name came up more than once? Maybe you’d like to let them know they are your sunshine. Or maybe just letting them know “You Make The World Better”!