November is perhaps the most popular month for expressing gratitude for the people and things that make our lives better. Surprisingly, practicing gratitude can have actual effects on your health, including improved positivity and better sleep. With the spirit of the season, we thought we would share 15 simple ways you can practice an attitude of gratitude and show what you are thankful for this holiday season:

1) Start a Gratitude Journal. Once a week, write down 1-3 things you are thankful for in your journal.

2) Remind people you love that you are thankful for them. Call your friends and family or send them a card and thank them for being in your life.

3) Keep reminders of what you are thankful for around your house. Pictures of your loved ones and quotes about being thankful around your home can help you remember to be thankful.

4) Share gratitude every day by posting a quote on your social media page(s).

5) Say a prayer of gratitude every day for what you are thankful for in your life.

6) Offer help to those around you. Help a loved one in need, volunteer, or donate to a charity of your choosing.

7) Thank people that you interact with. Take time to thank bus drivers, shopkeepers, postal workers, waiters, teachers, etc. for all their hard work. They will appreciate it!

8) Thank people that serve your country and community. Always take the opportunity to thank a veteran, policeman, firefighter, medical professional, etc.

9) Try to avoid gossip or speaking badly about anyone. Instead, try to focus on the positives of everyone.

10) Do your best always to see the positive in every negative situation. Remember, all experience is a good experience.

11) Try to avoid complaining. If you need to, create a complaints jar where you owe money for each complaint you make.

12) Spend time with your loved ones to practice your attitude of gratitude.

13) Improve happiness in other areas of your life. If there are areas of your life where you lack happiness, work to improve them.

14) Send a gift to a loved one. After all, studies have shown that giving to others improves our gratitude.

15) Fake it until you make it. Even when you feel it’s impossible to show thankfulness, there is always something to be thankful for. Smile, say thank you, and use positive language. When you think and act thankful, you begin to feel it.

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can drastically improve your life in so many ways when you practice it. This November, all of us at AIR Childcare Training Solutions wanted to show that WE are thankful for all of YOU.