We all know that it’s important to show gratitude to those around us. But did you know that it actually helps your mental and physical health as well. This week we will talk about how gratitude affects us our health!
6 Reasons Why Practicing Gratitude is Good for Your Health
When you think about it, there are countless reasons to be grateful. We have a roof over our head, clothes on our back, food in the fridge, and family who love us! However, if we don’t take time to reflect on these things every day then this list starts to shrink. This is why practicing gratitude can lead to improved health and happiness! In this blog post, you’ll learn reasons why gratitude is good for your health and how to start a gratitude practice.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is not an action. Gratitude is a mindset. Gratitude is simply being aware of and thankful for the good things in your life. It can be as simple as noticing a beautiful sunset, feeling loved by a friend, or petting your dog. When you focus on the good things, even when times are tough, it helps to shift your perspective and improve your mood. It can unleash mental and physical power just waiting to come out.
It has a two-step process:
- Recognizing that something positive happened
- Recognizing that that positive things came from somewhere
All religions recognize the importance of showing gratitude. Even if you are not religious, this means that there is an agreement among all faiths that showing gratitude is an important part of being human.
Health Benefits of Gratitude
Gratitude Improves Psychological Health
Gratitude reduces toxic emotions. Multiple studies have shown there is a link between gratitude and well-being. Additionally, research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.
Gratitude Improves Self-esteem
Study on athletes found that gratitude increased athletes’ self-esteem, a big part of optimal performance. Other studies have shown that gratitude reduces social comparisons. Rather than becoming resentful toward people who have more money or better jobs—a major factor in reduced self-esteem—grateful people can appreciate other people’s accomplishments.
Gratitude Increases Mental Strength
Grateful people are more likely to survive a trauma than those who don’t feel thankful. For years, research has shown gratitude not only reduces stress in your day-to-day life but also plays an important role when it comes time for you overcome new challenges. Being grateful can help reduce the harmful effects of negative emotions like fear or anger that might arise from difficult experiences as well as build resilience against future setbacks because we remember how things have worked out before so this helps us better prepare now!
Gratitude Helps You Cope with Pain
Studies show that grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and they also report feeling healthier than other people. Grateful people are more likely to take care of their health. They exercise more often and are more likely to attend regular check-ups with their doctors.
Gratitude Helps Lower Stress
Gratitude helps change hormones in our body. When we are grateful, we reduce our cortisol level and release oxytocin. Oxytocin is a powerful feel-good hormone. It’s also the hormone that brings us closer to the people we interact with.
Gratitude Helps Improve Hearth Health
People who are more grateful have better heart health, less inflammation, and healthier heart rhythms. This means gratitude is also good for your heart.
Grateful People Have Stronger Relationships
Gratitude strengthens relationships. Studies have shown that people who practice gratitude have stronger relationships because they appreciate their loved ones more. Gratitude also makes us more forgiving which can help to repair damaged relationships.
How to Start a Gratitude Practice
Starting a gratitude practice is easy! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Start in the Morning
Before you reach for your phone and start scrolling – take a moment – literally, a moment and think of one thing you are grateful for. One thing.
End Your Day with Gratitude
Before you fall asleep. Choose one thing you are grateful for. It can be something else or it can be the same thing that you were thankful for in the morning.
Keep a Journal
Every day, take a few minutes to write down five things you’re grateful for. This can be anything from your health and family to your job and the weather. It works like a book of your life, which you can eventually read. You’ll be reminded of all the amazing things that happened a few years ago. And you’ll feel more grateful about the present!
Be Grateful to Yourself
What have you done today that was super awesome? We are so busy knocking ourselves down that we forget to thank ourselves. Celebrate small wins. Write it on your journal. If you’re feeling brave, share it on social media, too.
Share Your Gratitude
If you’re not a person who usually share stuff on social, you can share feelings of gratitude with the people close to you. Plus, let the person know that you are grateful for them. Now, you’re sharing the joy and happiness that comes from gratitude.
It’s so easy to practice gratitude and it has many health benefits! In addition, practicing gratitude can actually make you more grateful. Gratitude is a simple habit that will improve your life in countless ways.
Ask our team for help if you need some inspiration on how to get started with this powerful force of good. That way we can work together to create an action plan tailored specifically to meet your needs and goals–all because you want a happier, healthier lifestyle!
