Many of us are beginning to experience the holistic benefits of gratitude. As we dig deeper, we go beyond the social network conversations and into true depth of understanding.
Here are a few reasons to continue on our path of gratitude:
Gratitude journaling makes you happier.
People who practice gratitude journaling for at least 5-minutes a day can boost their long-term well-being by more than 10 percent. Experts claim that this level of impact is equivalent to doubling your income!
To get started, consider taking a 5-minute break around the same time daily to write down things you are grateful for… it doesn’t have to be anything extravagant – it can be simple things. For example, you can be grateful for the weather, grateful for being alive, grateful for the privilege of eating a delicious meal or grateful for good friends. You can NEVER run out of things to be grateful for.
Start your 5-minute a day journaling habit by downloading our free gratitude app and send out your thoughts of gratitude to like-minded people.
Gratitude can make you healthier and reduce pain.
When most people think of living a healthier lifestyle, they immediately think about cutting out refined sugar from their diet, eating leafy green veggies and exercising 30+ min a day. Those are all important! But, did you know that an extra dosage of daily gratitude can make you feel healthier and even reduce physical pain?
Gratitude is a positive emotion that can improve a person’s health over a period of time. Positive emotions improves the mind and triggers chemicals in the brain that help improve a person’s health and well-being. There have been approximately 137 research studies that have proven that positive emotions can improve one’s health.
In a 2012 study, conducted by Personality and Individual Differences, researchers found that people who are grateful are less likely to experience aches and pains in their body compared to those who do not. Additionally, people who are grateful tend to feel more motivated to take better care of their bodies by eating healthier and exercising.
Gratitude improves the quality of your sleep.
Getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night is non-negotiable if you expect to stay healthy. People who get adequate sleep can prevent certain diseases (stroke, hypertension, cancer, dementia, etc.). When you wake up from a good night’s sleep, you feel more refreshed and motivated to accomplish your goals. As a result, you are more productive and creative. Lack of sleep will sap you dry of your creativity and productivity!
Being grateful helps improve your quality of sleep by helping you to sleep faster and longer. Often times people struggle with falling asleep (and staying asleep) because of daytime worries (work, finances, relationship troubles, etc.).
People who think grateful thoughts and write in a gratitude journal before going to bed sleep better, according to a 2011 study reported in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.
Gratitude increases mental strength during difficult times.
Gratitude can reduce stress and it even strengthens brain power. In 2006, a study was published in Behavior Research and Therapy about Vietnam War Veterans who practiced gratitude. They experienced significantly lower rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2003, scientists found that survivors of the 9/11 attacks who practiced gratitude were able to recover faster emotionally. Gratitude is so powerful that we can benefit from it during the worst times.
Gratitude opens the door to opportunities.
Whether you give thanks verbally or you send a thank-you note to a potential client or employer, it not only shows you have good manners, it shows you’re appreciative. People who are grateful are more likely to experience open doors to opportunity. As a result, people are more likely to pursue an ongoing relationship, according to a research study reported in Emotion (2014).
Gratitude may help you live longer.
People who are grateful tend to live longer and happier lives. Although there isn’t an official study that proves that gratitude extends one’s life, there have been many studies taken that have proven positive emotions can improve a person’s health and well-being. As a result, they are more likely to live longer, happier lives.
We all have one thing in common, we have the ability to be grateful. All it takes is a simple grateful thought to help change the way you feel. When you change the way you feel, by focusing on positive things, you feel more motivated and satisfied about your life. As a result, you can overcome the toughest challenges life throws your way.
Feel free to download the free SendThanks app and create a free thank you message with photo or video to anyone in the world or share your positive experiences and affirmations on our Thankful Feed!
Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash
