Gratitude (Reflecting on Everyday Positive Experiences) 

Introduction

You need to recognise and appreciate positive moments in their daily lives to counteract the negativity bias.
Your natural tendency is to pay more attention to negative experiences than positive ones. In the past this was an evolutionary advantage for survival.
By intentionally recording positive experiences, you can improve emotional well-being, gratitude, optimism and satisfaction with work and life plus decrease negative effects.

Remember

•    People typically experience 3 positive events for every negative one, yet the negative stands out more strongly.
•    This negativity bias leads to rumination, anxiety and lower self-esteem.
•    Adolescents are especially prone to focusing on negative stimuli.
•    Regular reflection on positive experiences increases:

• • Gratitude
  • Optimism
  • Life satisfaction
  • Positive mood
  • Work and life satisfaction

•    It also reduces negative affect.
(main source: Jeffrey J. Froh et al, 2008)