- 1). Keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write down several things that you are grateful for in your life. Taking time to remember even small things, like getting a parking space in a crowded parking lot, helps you appreciate more things in your life.
- 2). Volunteer with those less fortunate than you. Spending time working with the homeless, the sick or another disadvantaged group is likely to make you appreciate your home and health. At the same time, you create feelings of gratitude for your good work.
- 3). Spend time with friends and family. Sharing a meal or an experience together, or simply spending time together talking and laughing can increase your feelings of contentment.
- 4). Make a list of your achievements or accomplishments. Taking time to reflect on your life's path and how far you have come gives you perspective, and allows you to appreciate where you are now, particularly if you have overcome significant obstacles.
- 5). Express appreciation for others. Writing a sincere thank you note for a gift, a kind deed or even just for friendship not only shows your appreciation, but also gives others good feelings.
- 6). Visualize your life without your family, friends, home and belongings. While many of us could survive without our material possessions, simply imagining life without the things that are important to us is enough to create feelings of appreciation. For example, you may wish that you had a newer vehicle, but thinking about your life without a car at all and the inconvenience it would cause can help you appreciate the one you do have.
- 7). Create a visual reminder of the good things in your life. Fill a photo album or frame with pictures or symbolic representations of the things you're most grateful for in your life, such as your spouse or significant other, your children or your home. When you feel discouraged, look at the photos for a reminder of all you have.
- 8). Watch a movie or read a book that has appreciation or gratitude as a theme. A film such as "Pursuit of Happyness" or "Pay It Forward" can get you thinking about all that you have in your life and steps you can take to show more appreciation.
- 9). Be generous with your time, money and possessions. For example, going through your closet and giving your unwanted or unused clothing to someone who has nothing is likely to make you feel appreciate that you have the means to purchase new clothing.
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