Thrive in 3: Gratitude #9

3 nuggets for thriving in the 3 mins it takes to brew your tea...

Nov 26, 2024

01 Tea Routine: From Negative Autopilot to Contented Presence…

Does moving from negative autopilot to contended presence sound good?

Then develop a daily 3-minute gratitude Tea Routine to increase your mental fitness.

Have you ever noticed how negativity permeates much of our daily intake from news and social media, leaving us feeling drained and pessimistic? It's easy to fall into this negative autopilot, where our mind unconsciously absorbs distressing content, influencing our mood and mental fitness.

I found myself caught in this cycle of consuming a constant stream of negative news and doomscrolling, which was doing more harm than good. Realising the impact this had on my wellbeing, I decided to shift my focus. Each evening, as I brewed my tea, I began a simple tea routine: reflecting on three things from the last 24 hours that I genuinely appreciated, no matter how small. This wasn't just about ignoring the bad, but consciously choosing to see and celebrate the good around me.

Gratitude and appreciation tie into the Metal Element in traditional Chinese medicine, so I suggest anchoring this tea routine to your favourite herbal infusion – this is particularly handy if you’re doing it in the evening because the naturally caffeine free infusion will help you have a good night’s sleep.

This practice of gratitude transformed my evenings and, over time, my overall outlook. Tying this routine to the calming ritual of drinking tea helped reinforce the habit, embedding it into my daily life. It's amazing how acknowledging simple joys can uplift your spirit and improve your mental wellbeing. This shift towards gratitude made my life feel brighter and more fulfilling, showing that happiness really does start from within.

Why not try this 'Gratitude Tea Routine' for yourself? Each night, as you sip your tea, think of three things you're thankful for. Do this for a week and observe how your perspective on life changes. Share your experience with me and notice how a small change can make a big difference in your mental and emotional wellbeing.