What does your desktop or mobile wallpaper say about you? Does it help you start your day on a more positive note? Or have you stopped giving a second thought to it? It is such a simple thing, isn't it? The humble wallpaper.
But with smart use, a wallpaper can prepare us for a tough day from the moment we switch on our devices.
Positive psychology tells us a lot about one vital habit for general well-being: gratitude. But it's not so easy -- our brains are wired for negativity. Gratitude and positive thinking must be cultivated with deliberate practice. Brain scientists advocate positive visual exercises to bolster your mental resilience.
The short secret is that you have to seek ways to be grateful every day. For instance, this five-minute habit can help you start your day on a happier note. But maybe time gets in the way, or maybe you hate the idea of writing.
So we come back to the utility of a wallpaper to plant the first seeds of thankfulness in our brains.
3 Simple Gratitude Wallpaper Ideas You Can Try
- Use an old memorable photo as a wallpaper. You can also set up a screensaver like a photo album that plays like a reel of your life and the things you should be grateful about.
- Use a snap of a happy moment. Take it today and use it as an instant gratitude wallpaper.
- Use a wallpaper for positive affirmation. A single word printed on a wallpaper can help you stay mindful.
All three methods are easy. The ideal way is to create your own desktop wallpapers because gratitude is something very personal. Or try the ready-made ones from the services that have wallpapers or help us search for the right images.
Bonus inspiration: Explore gratitude with these excellent 15 film shorts on Gratitude Revealed launched by Oprah.com. Acclaimed timelapse filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg made this project to explore the nuts and bolts of emotional wellness.
How Do You Focus on Gratitude?
Turn your screen into a virtual mantelpiece and deck it up with photos that give off positive vibes. A wallpaper can be a simple tool to cheer yourself at work. It just might remind you what is important in the middle of a crisis.
Right now, I have a wallpaper that simply says "Breathe". It reminds me to take in a few deep breathes now and again and be more mindful.
What about you? Do you use a wallpaper that inspires your work every day? Or, do you think that wallpapers don't tap into your emotions that well?
Image Credit: taffpixture via Shutterstock.com