Gratitude + Giving Thanks

This week we will celebrate with family and friends and give thanks.

At The Ivy Day Spa are grateful for many things, and at the top of gratitude list is our amazing team, wonderful spa guests, and the Santa Clarita Valley community we have been fortunate to be part of for over a decade. 

You can carry the joyous feeling of gratitude year round when you make time to practice thanks each day. This small task can help bring you balance and peace, and can be as simple as making note of good things and being mindful. A special Gratitude journal is an easy way to encourage this good habit, and over time we have found that it can change the way we perceive situations by adjusting what we focus on.

Here are a few tips and prompts to get you started (or keep you going!)

Gratitude Journal

Take a few minutes each day to write down 1-3 things that you are thankful for, made you smile or are important to you. You can find journals designed for this practice, or you can easily make your own.

Gratitude Jar

Set a beautiful jar in a prominent area, and any time you feel a moment of gratitude, write it on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. Then on a special holiday such as New Year’s Eve, open the jar and read all the notes, feeling all the joy again.

Gratitude Letter

When your gratitude is for a person, consider writing them a letter to tell them why you are grateful. Even if we have expressed our thanks verbally, writing a letter allows us to explore and communicate that gratitude more deeply. The result can be very meaningful to both you and the recipient.

Ways to find Gratitude

If you are getting stuck on what to write, try some of these ideas to get you started.

  • Something beautiful that you saw today
  • A memory that makes you feel good
  • A new opportunity
  • A sentimental object, why do you treasure it?
  • A friend or family member
  • The kindness of someone you do not know well
  • Health, wellness, fitness of body and mind
  • The benefits that come with current season
  • Something new you have learned
  • A talent that you have
  • A piece of art, book or film that made you feel strong emotion
  • Time spent investing in yourself