a DIY gratitude jar

I think we would all collectively agree with the idea that showing or expressing gratitude is important—and that establishing a regular gratitude practice might be good for you. What you may be less familiar with is the impressive body of research showing that acknowledging gratitude has been associated with many improvements in mental health and an overall strong well-being.

This post is sponsored by the makers of Ball® home canning products.

The benefits of having a gratitude practice include opening the door to more relationships, improving both physical and mental health, enhancing empathy and decreasing anxiety, improving your sleep and self-esteem and many other positive outcomes.

Knowing that it can be challenging to begin a new habit, I'm sharing one easy and fun way during this season of Thanksgiving that you, your family and/or friends could start today—and that is by using a gratitude jar.

a DIY gratitude jar is easy to make

You'll need just a handful of supplies to make a gratitude jar. Below is a list of supplies that I used:

• Ball® Wide Mouth Quart Jar + lid

• Ball® Collection Elite 16 oz. Jar + lid

• Gold spray paint

• Craft paper + marker/pen

After spray painting the Ball® jar lids gold, I cut some fall-themed craft paper into strips and my gratitude jar was ready to go! I used the Ball® Wide Mouth Quart Jar to hold the slips of paper that you write your gratitude note on and the Ball® Collection Elite 16 oz. Jar + lid is to hold the unused strips and marker/pen.

adopt a routine to help build the habit

Whenever you're starting something for the first time, setting a routine is a helpful way to get yourself in the habit of doing the task. If you're looking to start a gratitude practice this month, you could use dinnertime as a point of reflection about the day and jot down a gratitude slip or two. It's a fun way to get the family involved in a gratitude practice as well.

keep the gratitude going all year long

With all the benefits of an ongoing gratitude practice, there's no reason gratitude needs to be a focus only for the month of November. While starting a gratitude jar in November is a fun way to kick off a gratitude practice, there are many ways you can keep the gratitude going all year long with examples below:

1. Create a gratitude tree during the holidays

2. Buddy up with a friend and send each other daily gratitude texts

3. Start a gratitude journal

4. Use a gratitude app with a daily alert

5. Keep your Ball® gratitude jar out all year long changing up the themed paper slips

6. Incorporate gratitude outdoor walks into your schedule to appreciate nature

Taking a moment to be thankful for the good things in your life can help you better mitigate stress and develop deeper connections with people and manifest your most desired life. Creating your own gratitude jar this month as we celebrate Thanksgiving might be just the motivation you need to jump start a gratitude practice that becomes a lifelong habit.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post that is part of an ongoing partnership with the Fresh Preserving Division of Newell Brands. They have provided jars, equipment and monetary compensation. All thoughts and opinions expressed remain my own.