“This whole gratitude thing sounds like such a cliché.” 

Said a client to me last month.

It's coming up on Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. I'm all about taking the time off, preparing and sharing a special meal with people I love, and of course, the reminder to give thanks and be actively grateful for our lives and those we share them with.

So I wasn’t going to let this one go.

Yes, I get that gratitude and happiness are everywhere. That everyone and their dog is keeping a gratitude journal. And I get that appreciating what we have and saying thank you feels like a “should” some of the time (to some of the people).

Yes, it’s November and we’re saying what we’re grateful for because it’s that time of year (here in the United States). We’re going around the table. We’re endlessly hashtagging #grateful.

It’s all fine by me. I embrace it. Because gratitude works.

Research continues to show us that the very act of gratitude can have serious benefits on our physical health and mental well-being. It makes us happier. It strengthens our relationships. It gives us some much-needed perspective when we get caught in the day-to-day.

Bonus: It feels really good to be honestly appreciative.

And we know that cultivating positive thoughts increases the likelihood that we can achieve our life, work and relationship goals.

I can think of no better way to head into the next few weeks—the whirlwind holiday season, the crush of the year-end at the office, the planning for a new year—than by taking a breather to push the reset button on our perspective and our positive attitudes.

It's easy to think of things to appreciate, when we take the time to tune in and be aware of our daily life. Likewise, it can be equally easy to let our appreciation slip away unacknowledged. So take the time.

It's a simple, accessible way to be more mindful, more effective and enjoy ourselves more.

And opening your awareness to be grateful, even in trying circumstances, even for the challenges-- well, that takes a little more practice. A little more intentionality.

But it can shift so much of our experience when it's possible to get there.

Appreciation helps us stay connected and positive during times of change, no matter when they happen.

Let’s have at it, shall we?

Listen to yourself. 

How often do you speak positively to your coworkers, colleagues, friends or loved ones? While the jury is still out on so-called magic ratios, research (and common sense) does show that we and our relationships are happier when we're intentionally appreciative of others.

Talk about it. 

My partner and I have a habit of asking each other what we’re grateful for right now. It’s come up in conversation while hiking in the woods, lounging on the couch, sitting an airport or making dinner. It’s always easy to come up with something and it's an instant mood lifter and perspective shifter.

Go back in time. 

We all know people who’ve made a difference in our life, inspired us, taught us something new or changed the way we see things. Do they know this? How would it feel to thank them? I once received a letter like this from a dear friend. It meant a lot to her to write it, and I still cherish it.

Start off right. 

Establishing a set of nourishing daily habits can be a game changer in how we feel. How about making one of yours to find something you can express thanks for before you head into the day?

Begin at home. 

With you. Finish this sentence: "I really appreciate how I..." Or this one: "I'm so thankful that I am someone who..."

Look for the gift in the challenge. 

Think about something that's holding you back or frustrating you right now. What has this challenge helped you to notice, experience or appreciate? Can you allow a little feeling of gratitude for that gift? Try it out.

And yes, of course, make that list. 

Put your objections on hold. Write down what you are grateful for every day or every week and just see what you see. There's even an app for that.

My client tried out a few of these tactics and reported back this: she found a clear connection between her outlook and the results she was getting. Guess what's going to change?

There are all sorts of creative ways to reboot a little gratitude. I'd love to hear yours.