Gratitude is Even More Important Now

Appreciation for the little things in life is more important now than ever, and it might make you feel better.

When tragedy strikes, it's easy to get caught up in the negativity. Media - broadcast and social - can amplify feelings of despair. The Las Vegas shooting on Sunday, October 1, was a horrible event. There is no escaping the images and news of the event, or the subsequent vitriolic political debate that follows. The exposure to all this bad news and violent imagery can negatively affect our mental health.

So how do we turn this around for ourselves? Gratitude.

I know - it sounds a little like an inspirational refrigerator magnet, but it's true: focusing on the positives in your own life and in the world around you, no matter how small, can change your mindset.

That's not a fridge magnet, that's science. According to various scientific studies cited by Forbes, noticing the small positive things and being consciously grateful can improve your psychological well-being and make you more empathetic, among other things.

Check out all the things people were grateful for in this one Facebook post:

What are some of the things you are grateful for? Take a minute in the morning, before you log onto social media or turn on the TV, and reflect. It will make you feel just a little bit better in the wake of the latest tragedy.

Tips for Talking to Your Kids About the Las Vegas Tragedy

Looking for Signs of Hope