26 Ways to Practice Gratitude Today, Any Day and Every Day

Gratitude and nature are so deeply intertwined for us that we can’t think of one without the other. How can you witness the magic and mystery of mushrooms without being in awe of it all — and want to give thanks for the experience? 

When times get hard, we turn to gratitude and head into nature to reflect and celebrate life. In honor of our Gratitude Chocolate relaunching, we’re sharing 26 ways people can practice gratitude — today, any day and every day. (Psst… the chocolate was a fan favorite, so we’re thrilled to share that it’s even better than before. If you haven’t yet tried it, don’t miss out!) 

Now onto the list. You’ll want to bookmark this one and share it with a friend who’s going through a rough patch. The last one is a bonus, so make sure you read to the end. 

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff — celebrate the little things. Acknowledge small accomplishments in your life. At the end of each day, think of one “win” for the day or something that made you feel gratitude. 
2. Pay someone a compliment. Share something positive about someone else, but avoid making it about their appearance. Try: “You’re such a kind person!” or “I love how helpful you are.” 
3. Repurpose those old magazines and create a collage. This practice is not only helpful today, but, if you hang it where you can see it, you’ll continue to be reminded of why you’re grateful! Cut out photos of things that make you happy, adding words and drawings as you feel inspired.
4. Instead of bottling up your feelings, write down things you're grateful for on small pieces of paper and collect them in a jar. When you’re feeling down, pull one out and read it. 
5. Keep it to yourself. Write down three things you're grateful for each day, adding the date and any other info you want to remember. A gratitude journal can be simple, a blank notebook used only for this purpose. But it can also be a line jotted at the bottom of your planner each day, or even a guided journal, like the one we made for the launch of Gratitude Revealed.
6. Say it to their face — tell someone why you're thankful for them IRL, face to face. It can be someone you know well or a stranger, such as the barista who made your coffee perfectly this morning! 
7. Avoid sugar-coating, but do look for the beauty in the mud. As the saying goes: “No mud, no lotus.” When times get tough, think about the beauty or the lesson within. 
8. Repeat as needed. When it’s hard to remember why you’re grateful, make your gratitude your mantra. Try “I have all I need.” “I am healthy and free.” “I am loved and I love.” 
9. Draw it in and let it out. Combine gratitude with a deep breathing practice on each inhale, and remind yourself why you’re grateful. On the exhale, let go of something that’s holding you back. 
10. Write a letter. If you don't feel comfortable at the idea of saying “thank you” face to face, do it the “old-fashioned” way, with a letter. Ideally, you should mail the letter, but you can also keep it private. 
11. Take snapshots if you’re more of a visual than a written person. Whether you take photos with your phone or a film camera is up to you. If you opt for the digital route, create a dedicated folder on your phone. 
12. Meditate on it. If you have a meditation practice, integrate themes of gratitude into your sessions. If you’re new to meditation, look for videos on YouTube or Instagram. Bonus: Integrate Gratitude Elixir into your practice for a multisensory experience. 
13. Pause and give thanks before meals. Take a moment to appreciate the food in front of you. Honor those who prepared it, grew it and served it. (This can be spoken or silent.) 
14. Bring gratitude to your mat. Practice gratitude during your yoga practice (or any form of exercise). Give thanks for what your body can do, no matter how small. 
15. Stay in the moment. Practice mindfulness throughout the day. Set a timer to remind you to pause and focus on where you are right now. When you drift to the future or past, take a deep breath and bring your focus back to this moment — and what you’re grateful for. 
16. Go outside and experience nature. Spending time outdoors will inspire feelings of gratitude for the beauty and life surrounding you. Bonus: Turn it into a foraging experience, and be grateful for the bounty and the journey. 
17. Reframe past challenges. When you think about hard times you’ve experienced, flip the script and offer thanks for how they helped you grow, while also acknowledging the pain and discomfort you felt. 
18. Give gifts for no reason. You don’t have to spend much money (if any), but giving someone a gift “just because” will make you both feel grateful. Cook dinner for a neighbor, slip a novel into your friend’s mailbox or bring home your sweetie’s favorite treat. 
19. Bookend your day with it. As soon as you wake up and right before going to sleep, offer thanks. Keep it simple: “I’m grateful I slept through the night.” “I’m thankful for this comfortable bed.” “I’m protected, safe and loved as I sleep.”
20. Shift your stressors. Think of a routine occurrence in your day that tends to leave you in a sour mood. Perhaps it’s being stuck in traffic or a neighbor’s barking dog. Can you tie that event to a gratitude practice? 
21. Start scrolling. Use social media to share moments of gratitude, go on a “like” spree or leave a positive comment on a post by someone you admire. 
22. Give back. Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with others and feel grateful for the ability to help.
23. Be with someone you love. Snuggle up with a pet or a loved one, and focus on being present. Feel grateful for their presence in your life.
24. Shift from “I have to…” to “I get to…” This one works well for chores you don’t like. Instead of “I have to clean the litter box,” think, “I get to make sure my beloved pet is cared for.”  
25. Make gratitude a sensory experience. The next time you sit down to eat, engage each of your senses (and put away all screens). Focus on not only the taste and smell of the food, but also the feel of it in your mouth, any sounds you hear and the natural beauty of the sight of it. Eating a square of our Gratitude Chocolate is a fun and tasty way to try this practice.
26. On this special day, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to you. Without our community, Fantastic Fungi would look a lot different! Thank you for your passion for nature’s wisdom, your curiosity about the fungi kingdom and your ongoing support. As a token of our appreciation, we leave you with this moving video from Louie Schwartzberg's magical film Gratitude Revealed. Please enjoy and Happy Gratitude Day!

Photo Credit: Irina Iriser