The first thing Alison Jones does when she wakes up is to name three things she’s grateful for. It can be as simple as the breeze from a fan or as meaningful as the way a friend showed up for her emotionally.

Jones, an organizational development consultant, said the daily practice has helped her through hardships and the anxiety and vulnerability of starting her own business as a single mom.

“When you practice gratitude, you train your brain to always look for the positive in anything. It just completely shifts everything you’re going through,” she said. “You start to see the lessons in the pain. You start see the beauty in the very difficult times because you realize, ‘Hey, I’m growing stronger.'”

Practicing and encouraging gratitude can be a simple way to boost morale at a time when l

See Full Page