5 Reasons Why Gratitude is Good for Your Overall Wellbeing
In today’s busy, unrestful world, it can be easy to focus on the negative rather than paying attention to what we have to be thankful for. The days and weeks surrounding Thanksgiving are perfect for slowing down and reflecting on what makes us grateful, which is really what the holiday is all about. While most people view gratitude in a positive light, many don’t realize that being grateful can actually be good for our overall health. And when the temperatures start dropping and winter sets in, gratitude may be more important than at any other time of year.
Need a few extra excuses to practice being more grateful this holiday season? Here are five reasons why gratitude is good for your health, all of which make a strong case for focusing on the positive things in life.
1. Gratitude Can Boost Happiness by a Significant 25%
As easy as it can be each day to focus on the petty annoyances and less attractive parts of life that bring us down, there’s research to suggest that taking this approach actually causes more harm than good to our mental health. Studies have shown that regularly practicing gratitude can boost happiness levels by as much as 25%—a significant number for just about anyone, and especially those who suffer from mild depression. If you find yourself walking around unhappy most of the time, a little bit of gratitude may be just what the doctor ordered.
2. Gratitude Reduces Stress Levels
Stress and anxiety are common culprits that can lead to burnout and unhappiness in both professional and personal aspects of life, and it seems like just about everyone is affected by excess stress in some ways. Did you know that practicing gratitude can actually reduce anxiety levels overall? Some studies have shown that gratitude can even be effective in treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
3. Practicing Gratitude Can Lead to Increased Vitality
Most people know what it’s like to experience a lack of energy, which can be particularly off-putting when you have a giant list of things to get done in front of you. In a study focusing on the effects of “gratitude journaling,” results showed that those who regularly practiced gratitude exercised more and felt enhanced vitality levels than the test group. Not surprisingly, the gratitude-practicing group also felt more optimistic about their lives as a whole, and less overactive when it came to stressful or hassle-filled events.
4. It Makes You More Patient
“Patience is a virtue” became en vogue as a phrase for a reason—there’s quite a bit of truth behind it. Those who struggle with patience often act out in anger or suffer from low mood as a result and practicing patience can actually lead to a more happy and productive path through daily life. Research has shown that being more grateful also makes you more patient, pointing to a theory that the two are not mutually exclusive from one another. It seems the more grateful you are, the more likely it is that you’re a patient person, too.
5. Gratitude May Even Improve the Relationship You Have with Your Partner
It should come as no surprise that communication is one of the most important aspects of maintaining healthy relationships, and this is especially true when it comes to you and your significant other. The Journal of Social Psychology found that regularly showing gratitude toward your partner (and vice-versa) can boost feelings of connectedness and improve overall satisfaction levels between both parties. It’s something that all couples could benefit from incorporating into their daily interactions with one another, as showings of appreciation are closely linked to respect and happiness.
As the holidays approach, make a note to yourself to practice showing gratitude toward your friends, family and everything else that you have to be thankful for in life. Let Thanksgiving be the season that sets a course for yearlong gratitude practice. After all, it can only lead to a healthier you.
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