Gratitude, by definition, is the quality of being thankful. It’s a willingness to show appreciation for kindness. It is making the choice to appreciate the good things in your life. It’s not always easy to focus on the good things in your life when things are not going well for you. When your life is stressful, or you are grieving or experiencing trauma, it can be difficult to find the silver lining. However, learning to embrace gratitude can significantly boost your happiness. Being grateful offers many other benefits you might not be aware of. Let’s take a look at the concept of gratitude, the ways it can improve your life, and how to practice it.
What’s Exactly Is Gratitude?
There are many different ideas of what gratitude is. Some people believe it’s a feeling or emotion. Others look at it as a mood. And then, others believe it is a personality trait a person exhibits. There is truth to all of these ideas. In essence, gratitude elicits satisfaction and appreciation in a person through feelings, actions, or even inherited qualities. However, even those who are naturally more inclined to feel gratitude regularly through our glass-half-full optimism often need to create this outlook.
Just as optimism is something we can choose, I believe gratitude is a choice. It is a habit that you can create or a practice that you choose to perform regularly. Most people practice something or create a healthy habit because it benefits them. As with other practices, you will get better the more you work at it.
The Benefits Of Embracing Gratitude
There are many benefits of embracing gratitude. Many of them have been scientifically proven. For instance, it can have a positive effect on physical and mental health. A 2020 study showed that regularly practicing gratitude can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. A 2003 study showed that gratitude was linked to improved mood.
Practicing gratitude regularly may also help boost your immune system. Stress lowers your immune response, whereas increased mental wellbeing can help your body fight off illness. It can also help with other aspects of physical health, including reducing the risks associated with heart failure, according to a 2017 study.
Some additional benefits of practicing gratitude include:
- Improved sleep quality.
- Improved emotional regulation.
- Foster hope for the future.
- Reduce symptoms of stress, burnout, and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Increased resilience.
When you are thankful for your blessings in life, it can enhance your emotional wellness. You may deal better in crisis situations and find that you are more resilient when you look on the bright side of things. This can contribute to better relationships, too.
How To Put It Into Practice
If you want to experience the benefits of practicing gratitude, you will need to make it a habit that you consciously make an effort to practice daily. Start your day out by giving thanks in prayer. Keep a journal and write down three things you are grateful for each day.
Make an effort to thank someone each day, even for the smallest of things. This will open your eyes and heart to abundance. John F. Kennedy once said, “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”
Do something kind for someone to express your gratitude. Giving back and doing good things for others can provide a perspective and appreciation for the blessings you have in your own life.
In what ways do you find it beneficial to practice gratitude?