We all experience feelings of Gratitude from time to time. A major life event can trigger an Attitude of Gratitude, for example, the birth of a child, or by something as simple as a pleasant experience in your daily life.
Studies have shown that when we feel grateful, it has many positive effects on our health and well-being.
What are some of the most common effects of Gratitude? Here is a list of the most common benefits associated with Gratitude:
- Lower stress levels
- Increased energy and enthusiasm
- Improved sleep
- Higher self-esteem
- More optimism towards the future
- Greater feelings of worth, purpose and meaning in life.
- Enjoyment of life more than people who aren’t grateful
Gratitude is the secret to living a happier life. It not only increases your energy and enthusiasm but also improves sleep habits! Think back to how grateful you felt when something good happened at work?
You might be surprised by all this optimism, too – studies have shown people with higher levels of gratitude are more likely to feel satisfied with their careers as well. They know where their strengths lie, which helps them excel even further than before.
The benefits don’t stop there either; being happy unlocks doors into other parts of your life. Your Self-esteem comes out shining, while gratitude just makes everything seem less cluttered.
Stress levels drop when we feel grateful because we have a greater appreciation for life and all it has to offer us. We see the things that used to cause us to stress no longer do so.
In fact, one study found that people instructed to be grateful found difficult situations such as student exams and lonely hearts easier to handle.
Optimism also increases when we feel grateful, leading to significantly improved health and well-being. Gratitude raises self-esteem levels by increasing feelings of self-worth and meaning in life. Studies have shown that happy people are more likely to be grateful than those who are unhappy.
People who practice Gratitude daily show many positive changes. Feeling grateful not only bring more positivity to their lives but also those around them.
Overcoming obstacles with an attitude of gratitude
It can be challenging to find something or someone to be grateful for when going through bad times. When we’re struggling with tough situations, it can seem even harder to think with an attitude of Gratitude.
Being able to feel and show Gratitude in unfortunate circumstances is often more challenging than feeling it in good times.
One study found that people who had experienced a traumatic event wrote for 20 minutes about what they were grateful for every day for three months. After six months, 97% of them showed reduced symptoms of depression, 93% showed an enhanced sense of well-being, and about half said their physical health improved as well.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can cure yourself of major depression or PTSD by writing about things you are grateful for, but it does illustrate the power of Gratitude.
Non-Material Gratitude
Research has found that practicing Gratitude is one of the most effective ways to increase happiness. It makes sense because you’re not only thinking about the things you have but also thinking about people and situations that made those things possible.
We can take time to write down what we’re grateful for and practice gratitude in many ways, but at times it can be difficult to show true Gratitude. We live in a society where we tend to focus on the things that we don’t have instead of what we do have, like material things.
One study looked at people who reported feeling less happy or satisfied with their lives after watching a materialistic commercial on TV compared to those who had watched one focused on experiential concepts instead.
People who spent their money on experiences found they were happier than those who spent their money on material possessions.
The Benefits of Expressing Gratitude
Emotions are contagious. When we express positive feelings, it triggers the brain’s emotional centers to release endorphins that make us feel happy. By expressing Gratitude, you help not only yourself but also others around you.
People express gratitude in many different ways, but one of the most common is to go out of your way to thank somebody.
Many people are surprised when receiving an unexpected gift or simply being told that they are appreciated. Still, it turns out that it’s very beneficial for both sides to express Gratitude.
When you express your gratefulness, you’re not only making the other person feel good but also yourself.
Studies have shown that those who express Gratitude have a greater sense of well-being and happiness as well as higher self-esteem levels. They are also more likely to be helpful and behave in a pro-social manner.
Gratitude can be expressed anywhere
The attitude of Gratitude is a valuable life skill we can learn and develop. The good news is that it doesn’t matter if you practice it in a journal, with a friend, or to a larger audience.
And the benefits of Gratitude go beyond making yourself feel good. Your positive attitude can also have a great impact on those around you. Even something as simple as saying “thank you” to someone who holds the door for you can improve your mood and theirs.
Expressing Gratitude to others encourages them to do the same, which in turn spreads positive emotions throughout the entire community, workplace, or wherever it is that you spend time with other people.
Conclusion
Practicing Gratitude is one of the most effective ways to increase happiness. It makes sense because you’re not only thinking about the things you have but also thinking about people and situations that made those things possible.
The next time you notice yourself or someone else complaining, try switching it up and use the word “grateful” instead. This simple mindset switch can lead to a happier life for you and those around you.
Take your focus away from worldly things and become more grateful for what you have in other people and experiences.
Use every situation to practice an attitude of Gratitude and change your outlook and the view of others one gesture at a time.
How have you practiced an Attitude of Gratitude? Be sure to post in the comments section about your mindset towards being grateful and how an attitude of Gratitude has changed your life.🙂