Gratitude Lesson Plan by Happy Space

This lesson is brought to you by Happy Space UK - the mental wellbeing charity that protects the minds of tomorrow.

Structure of the lesson:

Activity 1: Exploring what gratitude means (10 minutes)
Activity 2: The hedonic treadmill (10 mins)
Activity 3: What are you grateful for? (10 mins)
Activity 4: How can we practice gratitude in the future? (5 minutes)

Why should students learn about gratitude?

• Gratitude can lower blood pressure, improve immune function and facilitate sleep.
• Gratitude reduces lifetime risk for depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders and is a key resiliency factor in the prevention of suicide.
• Gratitude helps to block toxic emotions, like envy, resentment, regret and depression.
• Gratitude can help improve motivation, productivity and achievement

The goals of this lesson plans are:

• To explore and build upon students’ current understanding of gratitude.
• To experience actively practicing gratitude.
• To understand how gratitude can help create a ‘glass half full’ outlook.
• To encourage students to think about how they can continue to practice gratitude, thereby making it a habit