5 Ways to Integrate Mindfulness into Your Daily Life
October 8, 2024
For so many, the Thanksgiving Day holiday signals a step into the unfolding holiday season. While we are often inundated with messages of joy, peace, thankfulness and material bliss; not all that glitters is gold. For some, the holiday season is nothing more than a reminder of what isn’t and the dream of what could be that is a fading illusion.
No Thanks!
What if life is a grind and you feel that day after day you are just plodding along, struggling to cope or make ends meet? You may struggle with low mood or anxious thoughts, money might be tight and all you see and hear from social media is how happy everyone is and how much they have. Then the comparing begins and “problem free” and “prosperity message” façade of Western culture can seem overwhelming. If this is our reference for a good and healthy life, there may seem like nothing to be thankful for at all. So, “No thanks!” to Thanksgiving Day and the emerging holiday season seems fitting.
The Power of Gratitude
What if a shift in perspective and the creation of a new habit can be so transformative, our plodding becomes a new life dance? While our pain and life struggle can seem so overwhelming, there is evidence that the practice of gratitude can affect our emotional, mental, social and even our physical wellbeing. So what is gratitude? There is an old saying that goes like this… Gratitude is the appreciation of a gift received; happiness is the enjoyment of a present good; and hope is the desire for a valued future. More simply put, gratitude is a state of being and if practiced, a character trait emerges that increases happiness and can stir up a sense of hope for a preferred future.
First Step – Acknowledge it
Take time to pause, reflect on and then acknowledge the goodness in your life. It’s there, perhaps just under the covers of the pain and dreamless state you are so use to. It’s there, I promise. Once you identify it, envision it as a gift. This is the birthplace of gratitude.
Second Step – Practice it
For gratitude to become a character trait, it must be practiced and over time, this practice can be transformative. Really, it can! Take stock of the goodness of your life and the goodness that lies outside of yourself. In doing so, the present will become a little more “good” and once we realize the goodness, hope emerges and hope rarely disappoints. It’s almost as if gratitude begins to replace our disappointments, our anger, our resentments and fears. Maybe by practicing gratitude we can learn to dance again.
A Way Forward
At the OK Clinical Therapy Group we have over 50 Master’s level practitioners who realize that the way forward for so many should not be one embarked on alone. Our skilled and competent team of clinical counsellors, registered social workers and clinical counselling interns strive to create a comfortable, encouraging and judgement-free space to support you with the mental health concerns that can arise during any season of life. Our consultations are free and we offer a sliding fee scale as well as evening and weekend appointments.
So, call or text us at 250-718-9219. You can browse our list of clinicians to find a good fit, explore our various services and even search our list of evidence-based therapies. You can also email us at info@okclinical.com
For specialized services, our team is ready to help you explore ur various counselling programs. You can also check out our General Counseling Services, learn about the Types of Therapy we offer, or visit our booking page here.
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude – Brené Brown
Written by: Daniel Snell, Practicum Student
