“Noticing and appreciating the positive in the world” (Wood, Froh & Geraghty, 2010)

We can build resilience by focusing on gratitude.

Gratitude shifts the focus from ‘what’s wrong’ to ‘what’s right’.

Gratitude encourages social connection and positive social behaviour.

Gratitude builds resources and relationships. These could help us in challenging times.

Gratitude and finding the positive helps us to overcome our natural negativity bias.

Both the giver and the receiver feel positive emotions when we do things for others.

Whakatauki

He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata

Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure

Ways to tune in to gratitude

• Give genuine compliments.

• Tell someone what you appreciate about them.

• Say ‘thank you’ when someone has done something for you.

• Pay it forward. Do a good deed for someone without any expectation of reward.

• Write a thank you card or letter and post it.

• Do random acts of kindness

• Finish your day or a meeting by sharing 3 good things to focus on the positive

Notice what went well. Dig deeper for this!

Ask yourself - ‘What went well today?’ … ’Why?’ ...then ‘Why?’ … then ‘Why?’ again!

Watch Dr Martin Seligman talking about the Three good things exercise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOGAp9dw8Ac

Hunt the good stuff - deliberately find the positives to counteract automatic negative thoughts!

“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practising gratitude.” Brene Brown