Gratitude is too good to limit it to a single day. My strong sense is that it might be wise to maximize the upcoming holiday.
In fact, the happiest, most content people I know also just happen to be generous givers of gratitude. There’s no question about it. They are abundantly grateful; they are frequent, intentional expressers of thanks. They aren’t the mumblers and grumblers we too often encounter especially on social media.
What’s the benefit? What good is it to be so consistently thankful and appreciative?
In other words, what happens inside the grateful person?
I would contend they are healthier all the way around — physically, emotionally and spiritually. They have better energy, more emotional resilience, and have a greater sense of purpose and connection to God. But take not just the insight and opinion from a semi-humble, oft witty blogger. Note the research from the University of Utah…
Gratitude can make people happier, improve relationships, and potentially even counteract depression and suicidal thoughts. Gratitude can also boost self-esteem…
“Expressing gratitude can positively change your brain,” says Kristin Francis, MD, a psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. “It boosts dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters in the brain that improve your mood immediately, giving you those positive feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being.”
Each day, as we practice gratitude, we can help these neural pathways in our brain strengthen and ultimately create a permanent grateful, positive nature within ourselves.
Gratitude is associated with happiness. Expressing feelings of appreciation to others and ourselves creates positive emotions and feelings of pleasure and contentment.
Research shows that people who express gratitude are more likely to share with others freely, offer emotional support and assistance, and forgive more willingly. Being grateful is easy and has an impact on the people around us. When showing someone you appreciate them, you are encouraging them to respond in nice ways towards others—creating a chain reaction of positivity… Researchers have found that those who experience more positive moods have less anxiety and tend to view situations more optimistically.
In a study on gratitude and appreciation, participants who felt grateful showed a reduction in the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. They had stronger cardiac functioning and were more resilient to emotional setbacks and negative experiences. Over the years, studies have established that practicing gratitude allows us to handle stress better.
“When we acknowledge the small things in life, we can rewire our brain to deal with the present with more awareness and broader perception,” Francis says. “By reducing stress, gratitude reduces depression and anxiety…”
Grateful people are healthy people… Researchers have shown when we practice appreciation, our bodies release the oxytocin hormone, which expands blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, and protects your heart. Oxytocin deepens our relationships and helps us feel more connected to others. It also supports us in building a network of family and friends, which results in a longer and healthier life…
“Expressing gratitude can positively change your brain.”
Indeed it’s good to be around the grateful person. Did I mention they are the happiest, most content people I know?
Gratitude, too, is contagious. How beautiful indeed.
Respectfully…
AR