Hey You, THANK YOU!

grat*i*tude (n) the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

"she appreciated this moment by thinking thoughts of gratitude"

Gratitude is both a state and a trait. One can experience gratitude for someone or something, and someone can experience gratitude more long-term as a positive character trait. When we experience the feeling of gratitude our brains’ release endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine-try it now. Check in with how you feel? And now think of ten things that you are grateful for. Check back in, are you smiling, does your body feel more relaxed?  It's a practice you can take anywhere and use anytime.

Expressing gratitude is linked with a host of mental and physical benefits. Therefore, the more we think positive,grateful thoughts, the healthier and happier we feel. Studies have shown that when you are feeling thankful gratitude can even improve your sleep (Rule#6), mood and immunity. Gratitude can also decrease anxiety, depression, struggles with chronic pain and the threat of disease.

Here are a few ways you can start a practice:

1. Look for good things, notice and appreciate them.

2. Express your gratitude towards yourself,thank yourself.

3. Find ways to savor, integrate and pay attention to life around you.

4.Start your day by thinking of someone or something you're grateful for as soon as you wake up. 

5.Start appreciating the length of time you slept.

6. Appreciate a friend who sends you funny texts.

7. A teacher who recognizes your child's gifts.

8. Or the barista who hands you your coffee and shares friendly conversation. 

Take a minute to be in the moment and thank that person with a text, note or kindword.

I am here to reinforce personal gratitude because behavior changes biology. Affirmative gestures benefit you by releasing happy, healthy hormones. You can even track your gratitude in a journal. Start with the following:

Bettersleep. Before your hit the sack, spend a few minutes counting your blessings, and you could sleep more soundly and longer. Hopefully you  sleep 7 hours. 

Better physical health. Dancing, walking or moving toward those 10,000 steps.

Better mental health. Enjoy your food and Eat What You Love.

Greater willpower. Learning to Eat When YOU Are Hungry and Eating Without Distraction.

Improved self-esteem. Drinking at least 8 Glasses of Water cuts the bloat and hydrates the body.

Better relationships. Start with what you put in your body. And how you feel about your body. Being well means we are thinking less of the things that are wrong,and more about the things that are right.

Improved self-care. Say it aloud, I am grateful for . . . . . .

Remember, your brain is designed to problem-solve (survive in the most pleasurable way) rather than appreciate. It's true, our brains are about sixty percent pessimistic and have to train it to be more positive. The good news it can be done. 

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This Mother’s Day, whether you spend it with a Mother, a Daughter, a Son, Friends or by yourself, put some gratitude into the air. 

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Also, keep an eye out, starting Tuesday, for 5 days only (starting May 16- May 20), I will share an Amazon code on my social media for you to pre-order my upcoming book as a gift for someone you are grateful for and/or for yourself, This Is What You’re Really Hungry For. Enjoy and Thank You for being part of The KSM Family.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Xx                

Kim

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*Last week I started this new game- it was so fun, so I am back at it. If you are reading this- head over to my Instagram, Facebook or TIKTOK and drop a 🍓 in the comments for a special gift.