Rediscovering Gratitude: 5 ways to feel grateful more deeply this season

We often feel grateful, but do we vocalize our gratitude?

Nearly 30 years ago, Oprah introduced the concept of a gratitude journal. Since then, research has shown that expressing gratitude benefits our mental health and strengthens relationships. However, there are still aspects of gratitude that many of us overlook.

Studio 5 Contributor Shima Baughman shared five insights to help you feel gratitude more fully this Thanksgiving season.

1. Embrace Childlike Gratitude

Children have a unique way of experiencing gratitude. They find joy in the simplest things, like ice cream or a sunny day. “I want to just be that… because I think as adults, we get a little more jaded,” Shima noted. By reconnecting with that childlike wonder, we can rediscover the joy in our daily lives.

2. Feel Awe in Everyday Moments

Savannah Guthrie, anchor of the Today Show, emphasizes the importance of feeling awe in our daily lives. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset or a delicious meal, taking a moment to appreciate these experiences can deepen our sense of gratitude. “Do we feel awe in our everyday?” host Brooke Walker added. This sense of awe can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.

3. Gratitude is Not a Checklist

Gratitude should be more than just a list of things we’re thankful for. It’s about genuinely feeling and expressing appreciation. Shima shared an encounter with a woman who responded to everything with “blessings.” This approach can make gratitude a more meaningful and heartfelt practice. “What a way to respond to people… she just had this gratitude about everything,” Shima noted.

4. Differentiate Between Relational and Object Gratitude

Dr. Janae Nielsen explains that there are two types of gratitude: relational and object. Relational gratitude focuses on our relationships with others and with a higher power. “Focusing on that kind of gratitude is the more lasting, more important gratitude for humans,” Shima explained. This type of gratitude can bring deeper fulfillment than simply being thankful for material possessions.

5. Vocalize Your Gratitude

The Haudenosaunee Indians have a tradition of vocalizing their gratitude, using their voices to thank God for everything in their environment. This practice can amplify the impact of gratitude. “Gratitude has become this internal practice… but I think it’s only amplified when it’s said out loud,” Shima suggested. Sharing our gratitude with others can create a sense of peace and connection.