WHY IT WORKS: “Expressing gratitude creates what I call an upward spiral,” says Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., who studied gratitude in high school students for a book about happiness. Teens who expressed gratitude ate more healthily, felt more motivated at school, and experienced more happiness—all of which gave them more things to be grateful for.
HOW THEY DID: Emmanuella found 37 reasons for gratitude, including: “my family, vanilla-scented perfume, my glasses, pizza, clean water, a pretty tree, soft pillows, virtual movie night with friends, a bite of food after being hungry. I never knew I had so much to be grateful for each day.”
Daniel found 21 reasons for gratitude, including: “Zoom, my calculator, my parents, my learner’s permit, my soccer team, Covid vaccines, good weather, an internet connection, sunsets, and my friends. I’m learning to appreciate basic things like health and sunshine!”
HOW TO DO IT: Grab some paper or open the notes app on your phone. Did you eat something delicious? Did someone do you a favor? Did you see or do something that made you smile? Make a note of it! Don’t forget to review your list at the end of each day.