“Gratitude brightens even the smallest corner.”
You might have heard that practicing gratitude can help our health and wellbeing. Creating a thankful environment not only helps us develop positive thinking and cultivate empathy but also improves our health and well-being.
Here are some tips for building a thankful environment
Make a thankful wall:
If you work with interior designers, you must have heard of "mood board". When creating our thankful space, having a thank-you board is a must-have. Carve out a wall space, hang with a magnetic board, a charcoal board, or simply leave the wall blank. Post a love lyric, a kind message on a sticky note, or a hand-drawn heart on the board, etc. These spaces can all help us form a gratitude habit.
Build a memorable entrance:
Do you have a foyer? What is the first thing you see when entering your house? Whether it's a counsoler's table, a coat closet, or a shoe bench, putting a memorable personal item when entering your home so you would feel instant gratification.
Keep a gratitude bookcase:
Nowadays, many things are "digitalized," and we often keep our memos and notes in our phones. Having a standalone bookshelf to keep all your important "books" there would also help us form a thankful behavior. Whether it is a photo album, a music record, a personal journal, or a shoebox full of dummies, you can find your love memories in this special bookcase that only belongs to you and your loved one.
Make an appreciation kitchen counter island:
If you work in an office or a store, you can also try to foster gratitude in a group setting. A kitchen counter island would be the best location for any kind of celebration. Whether winning a big project or gaining the favor of a small client, no small achievement is too small to gain recognition and reward. Appreciating our team and leaders each step of the way can enhance workspace morale and also boost productivity. Plus, many creative ideas can be inspired by a breakfast croissant or a birthday cupcake. Every thank you note can also be shared over a meal. And all you need is a good-sized countertop. What dimension is considered a good size? A 3-foot by 4-foot island would be enough for a handful of teammates to share their achievements. It is also not too big like a conference table (often they are 8 feet by 4 feet) to keep people apart.
Pick your Gratifying Color!
"What kind of color can boost our happiness and induce calmness?" You might also have such a question when you create your thankful corner. Color is really a personal choice. Colors that are known to bring us such feelings include light blue, soft green, and all the neutral tones. Especially the shades like sky blue reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Soft green can evoke nature and improve working memories. It restores us from mental fatigue. Neutral tones can also calm our minds and reduce unnecessary stimuli. These colors can be used in various settings to create a soothing environment that supports our daily routine and ongoing gratitude projects.
By the way…
Here are some additional thoughts from Color Psychology and CooniFit to help guide your color choices.