Practicing Gratitude Can Transform Your Life and Your Finances

Eight years ago, I wasn’t in a great place. I was in the middle of an ugly, expensive divorce, stressed about starting a new job, and constantly feeling broke. On top of that, I couldn’t stop comparing myself to my friends and family. Everyone seemed to have perfect careers, perfect homes, perfect lives. And there I was, feeling like I was running behind with no clear finish line in sight.

Somewhere along the way, someone challenged me to practice gratitude. My first thought was, “Gratitude? Seriously? I have bills to pay, laundry piling up, and my life feels like chaos—how is that going to help?”

But I decided to give it a shot, and honestly, it changed everything.

My Personal Story with Gratitude

I started with different exercises. Sometimes it was walking, looking around and noticing what I was grateful for. Sometimes it was writing a list A-Z of gratitude. Sometimes it was focusing on the most basic things: Food, clean water, a safe home, puppy snuggs. Sometimes it was celebrating a bigger win-- new job or paid off a credit card. Sometimes it was focusing on each part of my body from foot to head and being grateful for many aspects of my health. 

At first, it felt a little silly. But then I started noticing a shift. My mindset got lighter. I was more positive, more energetic, and more open to the good things around me. I started spotting opportunities I had been too stressed or anxious to notice before.

Here’s the thing: gratitude didn’t magically fix my problems, but it gave me perspective. It helped me stop obsessing over what I didn’t have and start paying attention to the abundance that was already there. And when you do that, everything changes. Your confidence grows, your energy shifts, and your finances can improve because you start making decisions from a place of clarity rather than stress.

Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude is often dismissed as a “nice-to-have,” something we bring out once a year at Thanksgiving 🦃 . But research shows it’s actually a powerhouse habit with real, measurable benefits for your body, mind, relationships and your mullah.

Physical and Health Benefits

• Reduces inflammation: Practicing gratitude can lower biomarkers of inflammation by 7%, which is linked to chronic illnesses.

• Supports heart health: Grateful people often have lower blood pressure and healthier hearts.

• Improves metabolic health: Gratitude is associated with lower A1c levels, helping prevent diabetes.

• Increases longevity: People with higher gratitude scores had a 9% lower risk of dying over a four-year period.

Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

• Boosts happiness: Gratitude can increase happiness levels by up to 10%.

• Reduces depression: People who practice gratitude can see a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms.

• Enhances resilience: Life throws curveballs. Gratitude helps you cope with stress and trauma more effectively.

• Improves decision-making: It reduces anxious thoughts and rumination, making it easier to make clear, intentional choices.

• Improves sleep: Gratitude practice can lead to a 25% increase in sleep quality.

Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, co-author of a recent study on gratitude, says:
"What's remarkable about gratitude is that just about anyone can practice it. Anyone can recognize what's around them and express thanks to others for what's good in their life."

Financial Benefits

Here’s the part that might peak your interest the most: gratitude can literally help you manage your money better. When we’re focused on scarcity we overspend, make impulsive decisions, and stress about money constantly. Gratitude flips that mindset.

Research in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who practice gratitude are more patient and feel more in control of their finances. They can prioritize what truly matters and recognize the abundance they already have, which often leads to more abundance. Like attracts like.

In other words, gratitude can make you smarter with your money. It helps you stop stressing, start planning, and make choices that align with your long-term goals.

Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude

The best part? Gratitude is ridiculously easy to practice. Take 3 minutes (yes, right now) and try one of these:

1. Say “Thanks” to Someone

Pick a person each day and tell them why you appreciate them. A coworker, your partner, a friend, or even a barista. Bonus points if you go old fashioned and ✏️ write a note—it’ll make both of you feel amazing.

2. Keep a Gratitude Journal

Every day, jot down everything you’re grateful for. It can be anything: a supportive friend, a paycheck, or even something silly like the perfect parking spot or being able to parallel park the first time (still hasn't happened to me 🤷🏻‍♀️). BONUS-- When life feels hard, your journal is a pick me up.

3. Count Your Blessings

Take a few minutes to reflect on 3 things that went right today. Be specific and include the basics—food, water, shelter, health. Don’t repeat yesterday’s list; keep it fresh.

4. Pray

If you’re spiritual or religious, prayer can be a powerful way to express gratitude and ground yourself.

5. Meditate

You don't need to be a monk to meditate- you also don't need tons of time! Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. You can also use a mantra or phrase to help you focus and cultivate more positive, grateful thinking.

Start with 1 minute and gradually work your way up to 5 minutes. Apps like Insight Timer or Headspace can guide you.

6. Volunteer

Helping others can give you perspective and remind you of what you have. Whether alone or with friends, volunteering is a gratitude booster and an energy reset.

Long-Term Impact

Gratitude isn’t a quick fix. It’s a lifelong practice that compounds over time, sound familiar (ah-hem, kind of like investing). Little by little, the effects grow:

• Stronger relationships: People respond to appreciation, deepening connections with family, friends, and coworkers.

• Increased happiness and confidence: Recognizing wins, boosts self-esteem and positivity.

• Better resilience: Life will throw curveballs. Gratitude gives you a cushion to handle them.

• Smarter financial choices: Gratitude helps you reduce wasteful spending and focus on your goals.

• Better health: Lower inflammation, improved sleep, reduced risk of chronic illness—more energy to tackle life.

Eight years ago, I couldn’t imagine that a simple practice like gratitude could touch so many areas of my life. 

By starting small, just a few minutes each day, you can shift your mindset, nurture your relationships, improve your health, and make smarter financial decisions. Gratitude is a gateway to living a richer, fuller life.

So, pick one practice today. Write it down. Say it out loud. Feel it in your body. And then watch how the ripple effects grow over time. With all these amazing benefits, it’s a great practice to adopt into your routine all year long to transform your mindset, health, relationships, and finances 💰