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Use Gratitude to Counter Stress and Uncertainty

Research shows a positive emotion can help balance out negative thoughts.

by

Christopher Littlefield

by

Christopher Littlefield

October 20, 2020

Summary.

Right now, we’re living in a constant state of uncertainty, and it can feel like running a race with no finish line or making a puzzle without a reference picture.

What can we do to minimize the impacts of uncertainty on our mental health? Research shows that gratitude may just help balance out our mental state.
To cultivate gratitude in ourselves, we need to intentionally shift our focus to that which we are thankful for. You can do this by: 1) Pausing and reflecting on what’s working for you; 2) Writing a gratitude journal; 3) Taking small steps to build it in like a practice or ritual.

Taking care of our mental health during a pandemic isn’t easy. Since the outbreak began, we’ve all been feeling — understandably — a lot more stressed. One study found that 57% of people are experiencing greater anxiety, and 53% of us are more emotionally exhausted. These kinds of emotions tend to arise when we lose some form of stability in our lives. Right now, we just don’t know what comes next. Living in a constant state of uncertainty can feel like running a race with no finish line or completing a puzzle without a reference picture. Everything seems unclear, and the worst seems possible.

Christopher Littlefield is an International/TEDx speaker specializing in employee appreciation and the founder of Beyond Thank You. He has trained thousands of leaders across six continents to create cultures where people feel valued every day. He is the author of 75+ Team Building Activities for Remote Teams—Simple Ways to Build Trust, Strengthen Communication, and Laugh Together from Afar. You can follow his work through his weekly mailing The Nudge.

Use Gratitude to Counter Stress and Uncertainty

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