A spiritual practice is anything that helps us feel connected – to ourselves, to others, or to something bigger than us – to give us perspective and peace. But these practices don’t need to be elaborate or take a ton of time. In the fall, our thoughts turn towards gratitude because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but gratitude can be something we value and incorporate simply into our spiritual practice all year long.

Here are some of the benefits to cultivating gratitude as a spiritual practice. It:

-asks us to pause and reflect, developing a mindful approach,

-shifts our focus from what we lack to what we’ve gained, giving us more peace,

-brings us perspective beyond what’s happening right in front of us,

-deepens our connection to something bigger than us, whether it’s to community, a sense of purpose, or to the divine,

-fosters compassion as we recognize how interconnected we all are,

-invites us to see obstacles as opportunities to find meaning, changing challenges into lessons learned,

-elevates our mood and energy, bringing more joy,

-promotes acceptance and a feeling of being supported by others and the universe, and

-helps us develop a mindset of abundance and attract more positive experience into our lives.

Aside from the spiritual benefits, practicing gratitude also has emotional, mental, and physical health benefits, according to Mas Health, as seen in the visual below.

Embracing a practice of gratitude has many benefits and can greatly enhance your health. Try it for yourself and see!