Why Gratitude Is Good

It is important to take a moment when we get caught up in the daily shuffle of life to remember how invaluable our ability for sentient thought is. As gratitude is a “chosen attitude”, let’s explore the ways in which it can most successfully incorporate into daily life. Another study suggested that grateful adolescents form stronger friendships, are more satisfied at home and less materialistic. They’re also likely to have greater self-esteem, give more emotional support to others, be more engaged in schoolwork and achieve higher grades.

• A gratitude journal involves jotting down a few things that you are thankful for and can be done daily or weekly as you so choose.
• More good feelings means less room for the toxic ones.
• According to Robert Emmons, gratitude researcher extraordinaire, it is essentially our way of recognizing that the happiness we feel was caused by another’s kindness.
• This friend I used to have had a habit of saying she was sorry all the time and it just made me crazy because really, there was nothing to be sorry for usually.
• A timely read as I deal with a relationship where gratitude is so distant.

Additionally, you don’t need to wait for a holiday to show appreciation. These five handpicked gratitude videos will not only inspire you to practice gratefulness but also inform you of the importance of daily practicing this state or trait. If you’d like to enjoy an even greater selection, our blog post Best TED Talks And Videos on The Power of Gratitude shares over 30 excellent videos.

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Gratitude lets us hang on to the positive for longer, and celebrate the good in our lives that we might otherwise move on too quickly from. Those who wave thanks to people who let them in in traffic, and those who don’t. Gratitude shows that we’re good to be in a relationship with, and that we appreciate certain things, without expecting them. Like any skill, gratitude can be learned and strengthened. A common (and sometimes overlooked) way is to verbally state your appreciation.

Here are some of the ways gratitude turns up the volume on the feel-goods. Being grateful improves our self-confidence, our self-esteem, and enhances our enjoyment of the present moment. We can be grateful for every aspect of our life, including the parts that are going well and those that are not.

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Experiencing moments of gratitude – even in passing – can rewire our memories to focus on the positives of a situation. But here’s is what we do know for sure; a recent study has linked optimistic people with longer https://ecosoberhouse.com/ lives which calls for high expectations when it comes to the link between gratitude and longer lifespans. I’ll be totally honest, I used to be a self-centered twat – until I started to practice gratitude.

Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. It is a fact that our brain tends to focus on what’s wrong, but why is that? We need to be able to identify the things that need to be fixed to reach solutions. Nonetheless, we need to gain perspective and allow ourselves to rest and enjoy what is going right. Through gratitude, we increase our capacity for forgiveness, become more likely to help others, and develop compassion for others. Gratitude can make team members feel more satisfied and fulfilled, possibly reducing the likelihood of burnout.

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We know how advantageous having mentors can be for professional success – which only further emphasizes why gratitude should be front and center when engaging with others. Gratitude really is like a magnet for meaningful relationships. Gratitude and positive emotion, in general, are among the strongest relaxants known to man. Fortunately, the antidote exists in the form of gratitude. When we take stock of what we have, whether it be material or not, it reminds us pf everything we have actually achieved and spurs us on rather than discouraging us. It’s not hard to feel some envy when comparing our successes to those of others.

Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you. Two psychologists, Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami, have done much of the research on gratitude. In one study, they asked all participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics.

Gratitude is good for you – John Templeton Foundation

Of course, studies such as this one cannot prove cause and effect. But most of the studies published on this topic support an association between gratitude and an individual’s well-being.

We spend so much time watching things—movies, computer screens, sports—but with gratitude we become greater participants in our lives as opposed to spectators. For more than a decade, I’ve been studying the effects of gratitude on physical health, on psychological well-being, and on our relationships with others. Gratitude is the key to a happy life and should be continuous, practiced daily. Another important takeaway is that gratitude can have a snowball effect.

But more often, our daily lives are full of distractions and stress, and we let our small achievements go unnoticed, even internally. Think about gratitude in recovery the past few days — what have you accomplished that went unnoticed? Did you cook a delicious meal, start a new book or chat with a loved one?

• Although they may have led to disappointment, shame, or even heartbreak, you’ve likely also learned something from these experiences.
• Reflect and acknowledge what you have done and accomplished in the last day/week/month/year.
• It is the second reason that places the importance of gratitude beyond just a feel-good exercise in mental health.

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