Why More Gratitude?
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, a time when we are all reminded to count our blessings. I am particularly looking forward to fried turkey, football games, and my sister’s rendition of Wilson Philips’, “Hold On” at the family talent show.
Did you know that gratitude not only improves our health, but also our relationships, emotions, personality and career? So why do we limit it to a single day or month of the year? Having an attitude of gratitude is not becoming the naive optimist who avoids facing reality. That is called denial.
To the contrary, gratitude is an intentional habit to find and maintain joy in the midst of whatever life brings, and it can develop surprising results in all areas of our lives.
You see, our brains are actually filters. We cannot take in all the information that bombards us daily. We choose what we focus on.
When we practice gratitude habitually, we start to see the good over the bad more often. Researchers have found that the more we focus on a particular item, i.e. a certain brand of car, the more we see that item as we make our way through the world. You know it’s true. Recall the last time you dreamed about something you wanted — how often did you start to see it? Probably everywhere!
The same is true for gratitude. The more we see blessings in ordinary moments, ones we might otherwise take for granted, the more natural the attitude of gratitude becomes in our lives. Here are 10 points based on research that show us the powerful impact of gratitude:
1) We gain more good feelings; gratitude releases “feel good hormones” in the brain.
2) We become more relaxed and resilient to life’s stressors.
3) We have increased self-worth and can better identify worth in others.
4) We feel more connected and build deeper relationships when we express gratitude toward others.
5) Gratitude is highly connected to vitality, physical energy, and better sleep.
6) Our quality and longevity of life increases when we are grateful.
7) Improved decision making skills and increased achievement of goals are more evident.
8) We become less narcissistic, materialistic, and we appreciate the simpler things of life.
9) We have healthier relationships overall, including those with whom we work, with friends, our marriages, and with our kids.
10) The more we focus on finding what we are grateful for, the more our brain develops a habit of seeing the silver lining.
Who does not need more “silver linings,” right? Studies tell us that spending only 5 minutes a day writing down what we are thankful for can increase all these benefits and more. Extend the spirit of Thanksgiving all year long. Counting our blessings doesn’t have to be singled out on a holiday. Spread the love and tell someone else why you are grateful for them. You both will benefit!
