Nowadays people of all ages are facing pressure, stress, and expectations that over time build up and cause an overwhelming situation. No one wants to have stress in their life, and though it seems like stress has power over us, we are truly in control of our stress. We can chose to let that stress go in a simple second. We can choose to use the stress to drive us and help us work harder.
I think in the long run, we can all agree that we prefer to have less stress in our lives, right? First, we need to understand what stress is and why it happens. Stress occurs when we focus on all of the things that we aren’t happy with in the present moment. “Too much homework, parents telling me what to do, friends causing drama.” It’s basically the buildup of unpleasant emotions caused when we focus on what we aren’t happy with. Because of this, the perfect solution, simple and fast, is Gratitude.
A lot of people may be wondering, what this gratitude thing that people are always talking about is? The answer is this: it is an emotional state of feeling thankful and appreciative or more obviously, grateful. Research and studies have been done that show that daily gratitude exercises have a real impact on levels of energy, stress, enthusiasm, and focus in addition to increasing reciprocal kindness to others. Even if you don’t believe it will have that kind of an impact on your life, the simple fact is, the world is too beautiful a place to not feel grateful for being alive. And if you are reading this…you are alive! That alone is worth celebration!
Now how can we start to practice Gratitude?
1. Awareness: Become aware of the things happening in your life. The gifts you are given on a daily basis. Be aware of the people around you. Be aware of the things you feel you couldn’t live without.
Here are some questions that will give you an easy start to this: What are you proud of today? Who do you love today? What can’t you live without? What is great in your life right now?
2. Appreciation: Now that you are aware of every little thing in your life, appreciate and love it. However big or small, appreciate it’s presence in your life here and now. Acknowledge the gift that it is and realize the role it plays in your life.
3. Affirmation: However often you desire, affirm your gratitude in the things you appreciate in your life. Reaffirm the things you are grateful for. Go for a walk and practice affirmations that will increase the emotions of gratitude.
What are affirmations? They are phrases you say with emotional conviction. Here are a few examples: I am grateful for my health. I am grateful for all of the love in my life. I am grateful for my life. OR I am living with an attitude of gratitude. All I need is within me Now.
4. Abundance: Create an abundance of gratitude in your life. By following 1-3 this will be inevitable. The more of a presence that gratitude is in your life, the more you will feel it on a constant basis. Live it and breathe it on a daily basis to see how your energy, your passion and your happiness increase! Watch how much of your stress decreases!
This is YOUR life!! Love it! Embrace it!
"Alexandra DiRuscio Cooper is a Youth Coach & Speaker. Having been a teen not long ago, Alexandra uses her own experiences and personal development & leadership training to connect with teens. She is dedicated to empowering young people to step up in their lives, create an empowering vision for their futures and be a force for good in their communities."
Follow her on Twitter. You can buy her latest book So What?! A Teen's Guide to What Really Matters" here.
Alexandra DiRuscio Cooper
