When you practice gratitude you tend to live a happier life. There have been multiple studies that have shown this correlation. Gratitude is shown to increase the personal sense of well-being in addition to helping make relationships feel more safe and secure. Other areas of our health are affected by gratitude as well, including getting more sleep and experiencing less stress. What better place to start this than within a family setting? Especially since there is so much to be grateful for.

The first aspect within a family setting where gratitude should be shown is between spouses since that is the foundation of a family. Each spouse works very hard in their daily lives, and on top of this does things to make the other person happy while also making the greatest life possible for their children. It is very important to tell, as well as show, your spouse that you appreciate them, everything they do, and that their efforts really do not go unnoticed.

Another aspect in which gratitude should be shown within a family is between parents and children. This goes both ways. Firstly, the parents need to show the children that they are loved and that the parents are grateful to have the children as part of their lives. It is true that parents have a tough job and can sometimes get tired and weary, but it is crucial for children to feel loved and appreciated instead of being treated like a nuisance. On the contrary, the children should show their parents that they are grateful for them as well. It is easy to take for granted everything that our parents do, and count it as necessities and just as their duty, but it makes a world of a difference when you let them know that you value what they do for you and are grateful for them, their hard work, and their sacrifices.

The third aspect of gratitude within a family is between siblings. Siblings have quite an interesting and intricate relationship, but nonetheless, you should show your gratitude for each other. Yes, it is true that siblings have fights and disagreements, but at the end of the day, you are family. You are bonded in a way no one else is, and no one else loves you quite like a sibling. Make sure to show your gratitude to your siblings and let them know that you appreciate having them in your life and treasure all of the great things they have brought into your life.

Below are included examples of ways in which you can integrate practicing gratitude:

• Reading books with your young children that portray gratitude in different examples. There are two ways to go about this as well, by either choosing books which directly talk about kindness, such as Being Thankful by Mercer Mayer, or by choosing books that are eye-opening about other people’s experiences such as brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel.
  
  
• Making it a habit to write thank you notes to each other, but making sure to keep them genuine and spontaneous. It is so heartwarming to receive a note, or even text, that lets you know that someone is thinking of you, sees your efforts, and appreciates everything.
  
  
• Giving a family member a hug. Physical reassurance is another way through which you can show your gratitude to your family members.
  
  
• On a more personal note, you can start keeping a gratitude journal so that you can have time to reflect on things either daily or weekly and help you reap all the positive benefits of practicing gratitude.
  
  
• Making little surprises for family members as a token of gratitude and appreciation. This could include a husband getting some flowers and chocolate for his wife, or a child making a drawing for their dad, or a sibling setting up a tea party to play with another sibling, and so forth. Be creative and think of a meaningful yet simple way to show your family members you care.