Practicing gratitude is a concept that’s being tossed around quite a bit these days.
In the age of personal development, self-improvement, and new-age spirituality there are many people talking about gratitude.
Gratitude is the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.
The sentiment of gratitude has been around for a very long time. But the human race hasn’t been able to practice the art of gratitude long enough to make a substantial change in our collective mindset. Sure, we remember gratitude on certain holidays and during special occasions, but it seems to get lost in our day-to-day lives. We become enamored with worry, stress, and fear.
And gratitude ends up being the furthest thing from our minds.
Yet there are many benefits of practicing gratitude.
QUICK SCENARIO
You didn’t get enough sleep the previous evening and you wake up in a bad mood. Your throat hurts, your head is throbbing, and you are short on hope. You check your phone and see a nasty email from your manager. On the way to work, you’re cut off multiple times. We’ve all experienced these types of dreadful mornings.
Then something unexpected happens.
Your co-worker walks over to your desk and tells you that she has an extra ticket to the big concert that weekend. Best of all, she’s giving it to you for free!
As the day goes on you begin to reflect on your co-worker’s act of kindness, and suddenly you’re filled with this incredible energy – gratitude.
The day which began so poorly ends on a positive note.
Gratitude can have a direct effect on your mood, your well-being, and even your physical health.
Below are seven areas that benefit from practicing gratitude.
7 KEY BENEFITS OF PRACTICING GRATITUDE
1. Can Improve Symptoms of PTSD
In a study conducted at the University of Toledo and George Mason University, gratitude was found to be inversely related to several emotional disorders, including PTSD. The results of this study showed that gratitude is related more strongly to PTSD’s negative alterations in mood and cognition (NAMC) factor than to other PTSD factors. This study showed that the higher an individual ranked on a gratitude questionnaire the fewer depressive episodes they experienced in comparison to their peers who scored lower.
2. Positive Impact On Relationships
Gratitude has been shown to have an impact on all sorts of relationships. Studies have shown that gratitude can help increase relationship security in domestic partnerships, as well as increase feelings of satisfaction in the workplace (see # 5).
What’s even more impressive is that the positive effects of gratitude can be physically seen on brain imaging. These brain images showed that the part of the brain associated with mental calmness and emotional regulation was more active when participants were instructed in a gratitude meditation.
3. Creates a Stronger Sense of Well-Being
Back in 2010, researchers identified gratitude as one of the major characteristics for determining a person’s well-being. Research shows that gratitude stemming from appreciating the positive things in your life and helping others can increase happiness. The theory behind some of this is that practicing gratitude forces you to acknowledge the good in the world.
Sarah Kopelovich, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
She says that even with the challenges of looking at the bright side of life for people who suffer from anxiety or depression, “We have more and more evidence that the practice of gratitude can both make someone less vulnerable to distress and it can predict greater psychological well-being.”
4. Improves Sleep
In this study conducted in the UK, researchers measured gratitude and its effects on sleep. Those participants who rated higher for gratitude had not only fallen asleep quicker but also had greater sleep quality and duration. These researchers say that grateful people are more likely to think positive thoughts and less likely to think negative or worrisome thoughts as they are falling asleep.
5. Positive Effect On The Workplace
There have been many different studies on the relationship between gratitude and the workplace. In this University of Washington study called The Grateful Workplace, researchers found that feeling appreciated at work leads to higher job satisfaction. Another study found that receiving a “thank you” note from a manager improved worker performance by an astounding 50 percent.
When you look back at a boss or manager that showed gratitude for your work, didn’t you feel more motivated and appreciated? So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that these studies are showing the positive effects gratitude has on a work environment.
6. Reduce Stress
Stress is one of the leading causes of some major health issues, including heart disease. We all experience stress on some level, but some experience it much more intensely than others. There are studies that show how gratitude can have a positive influence on stress. One of the reasons is that grateful people tend to have the psychological resources to manage stress in a more productive way. In this particular study, people who practiced gratitude were more likely to manage stress by looking for the positive in negative situations, seeking others for help, and actively coping and planning.
7. Enhances Empathy
In a 2012 study at the University of Kentucky, researchers found that grateful people are more likely to behave in a socially acceptable manner, even when others behaved less kindly. In addition, the study participants who ranked higher with gratitude were less likely to retaliate against others, even when given negative feedback. Lastly, these same study participants experienced more empathy toward other people and a decreased desire for revenge.
IN REVIEW
Gratitude is something that’s available to every single person on earth. It’s free, causes us no pain, and has plenty of mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. When thinking of quick and easy ways to enhance your mental health, gratitude should be high on the list.
Whenever you’re having a rough mental health day, turn to gratitude to help and the response should be instantaneous.
The feel-good chemicals will begin to flow and before you know it, you’ll be replacing the anxiety with uplifting thoughts.
If you have any questions or would like a free mindset coaching consultation – contact me at brad@upplifter.com!
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the medical and health area for your particular needs and circumstances prior-to making any medical or health-related decisions. For your health-related questions, please seek the advice of a licensed physician or any other qualified health care provider immediately.
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