The Root Celebrates National Gratitude Month With a Gratitude Challenge

November is National Gratitude Month. That's a beautiful thing. Let's think about gratitude, shall we?

Many of us are movers and shakers—flying through the ups and downs of life like champs. Whether it's taking on a new job that scared the living daylights out of you when you applied, or getting a serious diagnosis but still making dinner for your family that night, or welcoming a new life to the world, or whatever the case of this thing called life may be, one thing is certain: Life ain't easy. But life is beautiful.

No matter what you believe in, there's no doubt that life is indeed a gift. It's something that deserves some form of gratitude. And maybe you forget to be grateful for all that's going on in your beautiful life, but not this month. This month, we're choosing gratitude.

Gratitude is bigger than giving thanks (no shade to Thanksgiving). Gratitude is an appreciation, a satisfaction so deep, it allows us to pay it forward and extend that goodness to others. And what's better is that scientifically, gratitude has the kind of benefits anyone would pay for. It's been proved that practicing gratitude reduces body aches, anxiety and depression; helps you sleep better; improves blood pressure; strengthens relationships; and obviously increases happiness. Doesn't that sound like all the things you need in life?

Well it's your lucky day … or lucky month! The Root is practicing gratitude this month, and we hope you'll join us on this challenge! Every day this month, we will post a new gratitude-challenge action item on our Instagram account. You can participate by sharing your thoughts or experience in the comment section of each daily post and/or posting your own photos of your experience using the hashtag #TheRootofGratitude.

For day 1, feel free to repost this image on your social media to let the people in your life know that you're accepting the challenge and are going to show gratitude all month. Challenge them to join you! Bring on the gratitude!

Happy #NationalGratitudeMonth! We are celebrating with a #gratitude challenge! Are you going to join us? Repost this image to accept the challenge and look out for our daily posts for your gratitude action! #TheRootofGratitude #TheRoot

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 1, 2016 at 6:02am PDT

Day 2:

Today for the #gratitude challenge, simply name 3 things you're grateful for that start with the letters A, B and C. You can list them in the comments or repost this image and list them in your caption with the hashtag #TheRootofGratitude. #TheRoot #NationalGratitudeMonth

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 2, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

Day 3:

Happy #NationalGratitudeMonth! It's day 3 of our #gratitude challenge. Today, name or tag 3 people you're grateful for and tell them why in the comments or repost this image with the hashtag #TheRootofGratitude. #TheRoot

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 3, 2016 at 6:47am PDT

Day 4:

Today's #Gratitude challenge is a tough one. Negativity happens in all of our lives, but there's always a lesson in it. Share why you're grateful for that something/someone in your life that's negative. Either post in the comments or repost this image with your gratitude and the hashtag #TheRootofGratitude.

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 4, 2016 at 9:36am PDT

Day 5:

Challenge yourself! #TheRootofGratitude #TheRoot #gratitude #meditate #selfcare

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 6, 2016 at 1:41pm PST

Day 6:

Before you approach this new work week, let's sit in #gratitude. Share something you have learned about yourself from being in gratitude all week. #TheRootOfGratitude #TheRoot #NationalGratitudeMonth #SelfCareSunday

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 6, 2016 at 7:41pm PST

Day 7:

It's #NationalGratitudeMonth! Today's challenge takes some real work. Call someone you haven't spoken to in a while and let them know why you're #grateful for them. Share your experience either in the comments or repost this image with the #TheRootofGratitude hashtag! #gratitude #GratitudeChallenge

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 7, 2016 at 11:39am PST

Day 8:

Today is a day we can make history. Let's continue in #gratitude. Why are you #grateful for your right to #vote? Reply in the comments or repost this image with the hashtag #TheRootofGratitude. #GratitudeChallenge #TheRoot

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 8, 2016 at 11:53am PST

Day 9:

Today's #gratitudechallenge asks, why are you #grateful for #PresidentObama as he has 71 days left in office. Who's counting?! Respond in the comments or repost this image with the hashtag #TheRootofGratitude.

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 9, 2016 at 3:46pm PST

Day 10:

Today's #gratitudechallenge urges you to remember the impact of a personalized thank you note. Pick someone in your life and give them a note of #gratitude. Either tag them with your note in the comments or repost this image with the hashtag #TheRootofGratitude with your note. #TheRoot

A photo posted by The Root (@the.root) on Nov 10, 2016 at 9:04am PST