Thanksgiving may be an American tradition - it takes place on the fourth Thursday of November - but its message of gratitude and thankfulness is one that we can benefit from every day. Gratitude as a daily habit can do wonders for your mental wellbeing. 

According to Psychology Today, expressing gratitude daily can not only make you feel more positive about life, but it can decrease stress, improve relationships, increase energy and improve your mental health. 

Feel like jumping on the grateful bandwagon or just need a reminder to express your gratitude? You can use your phone to find your daily dose of inspiration and happiness. Turn positive thinking into a habit with these four gratitude and happiness apps.  

'Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.' - Oprah Winfrey

Happify

Happify is more than a gratitude journal. The happiness app aims at building better emotional health and wellbeing through in-app tools, programmes and games. This app has been going strong since 2013 and according to the company, 86% of users feel happier after just two months of using the app. The app has many features, but if you’re just looking to express gratitude you can do it through the short exercises provided. 

Happify is free to download on Android and iOS. You can use some features for free, but there are in-app purchases.

Gratefulness

Can’t remember to keep your grateful journal updated? No worries. Gratefulness is an app that texts you in the morning to ask what you’re grateful for. You can then reply with your journal entry, which is stored in a private and personal account on the app. No stress about your private thoughts being shared on a social platform.

 Available for free on Android  and iOS.

My Gratitude Journal

This positive thinking app claims that you can rewire your brain by expressing gratitude for five minutes a day for three weeks. Using a unique algorithm, the mind fitness app evolves with the user, keeping you engaged at all times. Roz Savage, the first woman to row across three oceans solo, used the app daily to help with her mental strength on her epic journey.

My Gratitude Journal is, however, only available via iTunes for R49.99, but they’re looking at getting an Android version soon!  

Unique Daily Affirmations

This one's a bit more personal as the app allows you to express gratitude for yourself through daily affirmations. Using uplifting statements and quotes, the app helps you to make positive changes in your life. Each morning you read the affirmation provided by the app and then record it so you can listen to yourself say the positive mantra throughout the day – literally motivating yourself!

The good news is this app is available for free on Android and iOS.

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