Summary

The article outlines seven quick methods to express gratitude, which can enhance happiness and well-being amidst global challenges and personal struggles.

Abstract

In the midst of a challenging day and a world grappling with various crises, a simple act of kindness such as a gratitude-filled text can significantly improve one's mood and outlook. The article emphasizes the importance of consistent and daily expressions of gratitude, rather than a once-a-year tradition, to improve health, resilience, and relationships. It cites studies showing that focusing on gratitude can lead to increased optimism, life satisfaction, and even more physical exercise. The author suggests seven practical ways to incorporate gratitude into daily life, using modern communication tools like texts, tweets, and social media platforms, as well as more personal methods like video messages and phone calls. These practices not only have the potential to make individuals happier but also healthier, more creative, and more attractive to others.

Opinions

The author believes that everyday acts of gratitude are more effective in raising happiness levels than less frequent expressions.
Sharing gratitude with others is seen as a way to not only boost the receiver's happiness but also the giver's.
The article suggests that doomscrolling is detrimental to happiness, implying that focusing on negative news can have adverse effects on mental health.
The author has a positive outlook on the impact of gratitude, linking it to benefits such as improved health, increased productivity, and even enhanced physical attractiveness.
There is an opinion that even in the face of global issues, personal acts of gratitude can contribute to individual happiness and resilience.
The author endorses the use of humor and light-heartedness in expressing gratitude, as evidenced by the recommendation to send funny animated ecards.
The article implies that the consistency of gratitude practices is more important than the time spent on them.
There is an underlying belief that the benefits of gratitude extend beyond personal satisfaction, potentially leading to more exercise and a better social life.

7 Quick Ways to Express Gratitude and Be Happier

Grati-texts, Grati-tweets and Other Easy Ways to Show Appreciation

I slept through my alarm. The shower ran out of hot water. The coffee pot was empty (gasp!). And to top it all off, my “fat pants” were tight — aaaaaauuuuggghhhhhh! This was shaping up to be a miserable morning. My phone chimed and my heart skipped a beat. Was I already late for work? I snatched my phone off the table and read the text:

“I just wanted to remind you how amazing you are and how grateful I am that you’re in my life.”

I sat down and stared at the message, my eyes tearing and my heart swelling. My sister, a busy physician three time zones away, had taken 30 seconds out of her busy schedule and changed the course of my entire day.

And here’s the icing on the cake: Her act of gratitude not only increased my happiness that day — it increased hers, too.

It probably won’t surprise you to know that the rate of happiness has declined not just around the US, but the entire world, since the pandemic. There’s a dramatic rise in people reporting feelings of anxiousness, sadness, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. And all these gloomy thoughts take a toll on our health and relationships.

So, in the midst of a global pandemic, a planet-in-peril, and political pandemonium, how can we turn unhappy feelings around? One way to increase your happiness setpoint is to practice being grateful. I’m not suggesting turning a blind eye to the critical issues facing us, but trust me.

Doomscrolling is not the path to happiness.

Numerous studies support that counting your blessings can improve your health, your resilience, and your relationships. Note, this is not just the once-a-year-at-Thanksgiving-table-mandatory-statement of gratitude. I’m talking about everyday acts of gratitude — the kind of repetition that becomes habit-forming.

For instance, writing down three things daily will raise your level of happiness more than writing down a list of items you’re grateful for weekly. Sharing your gratitude or appreciation with another person boosts your happiness level even more.

And get this! In one study, people who focused on gratitude rather than hassles felt more optimistic about their future, felt better about their lives and even did an average of 1.5 more hours of exercise a week. (So I can be happier and shed my fat pants!)

You may be thinking to yourself, “I’ll do that gratitude-stuff when I have more time.” If this is you, then start small, but start now. The key isn’t how much time you spend but how consistent you are.

That being said, if you don’t think you can find the time to be grateful, here are seven quick ways to practice gratitude, improve your health and boost your happiness:

Send a Grati-text: Text someone how much you appreciate them and why.

2. Express your gratitude in a Grati-tweet: You can express a big amount of gratitude in only 280 characters on Twitter.

3. Use a video platform such as Hippo/Dub/Loom to create and send an email video of your appreciation.

4. Create a quick vid of gratitude and upload it to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or YouTube.

5. Send an e-card to someone that says, “I appreciate you.” (I prefer to send funny, animated ecards like the ones on JibJab.)

6. Record an audio message (save time by not primping for the camera) and tell someone how grateful you are that they’re in your life.

7. Make a phone call. (I know some of you hate calling instead of more indirect ways of communication, but if you appreciate someone at all, they’re worth stepping out of your comfort zone.)

Being happier has lots of benefits that go beyond just feeling better. You can be healthier, more creative, more productive, and people may find you sexier and more attractive (no joke)! Wow! That’s a lot to be grateful for, right there!

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