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Gratitude. We all know we should express it. Everywhere you look you see articles about how important it is to be grateful. Medical studies prove that keeping a gratitude journal improves health and wellbeing. Even though we know it's good for us, some days it's hard to be grateful, even if we can find the time.

Living a stressful life at a hectic pace has become a way of life for many people living in the U.S. today. That frantic energy spills over into your job and probably your leisure time, too. Do you feel you have so much to accomplish that you can't stop for even a moment? Is there always something more to strive for, more to add to your day, more to do to get ahead on the job? You may think you don't have time for gratitude.

A daily dose of gratitude will not only improve your health, it will improve your relationships with your family, your co-workers, your friends, yourself, and may even help you get that job promotion. The better you feel about yourself and your life, the more energy you'll have to give to others and to your career.

When you put your life on pause, even for a brief moment, to think about those things that you cherish most, you give yourself a gentle reminder to make more time for the things that bring a smile to your face, the things, people or situations you know you wouldn't want to live without. Knowing what is most important in your life will help you wisely choose how to spend your time.

Unless you are supremely lucky, there's at least one thing that irritates you at work or in your relationships. Whenever this irritation comes up, what do you do? Maybe you go to a friend or co-worker and vent. Maybe your mind spins with things you'd like to do or say in retaliation. Consider shifting gears into gratitude. Focus on one thing about your job or relationship for which you are grateful. Making this shift will remove the thorn of irritation. You'll forget about it in no time, giving yourself the gift of more energy. Your mood will improve. When the boss comes around, you will be more likely to be at your best. And, your best will inspire the best in others.

If you carry an irritation through the day, it will weigh you down and color your interactions with others. You will be more likely to snap at those around you. Take a five-minute gratitude break. Just five minutes can give you a greater boost of energy than you can get from caffeine. You don't have to make a list, so you can do these activities anywhere. Just choose one and watch

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