Byron HoffmanThere’s a topic that’s close to everyone’s hearts, and that’s showing gratitude, especially practicing gratitude. Chances are, you might have heard about the benefits of being grateful, but how does it really impact our lives? Well, let’s explore the profound advantages of incorporating gratitude into your daily routine and how it can transform your life for the better.
What is Gratitude?
When you hear the word “gratitude,” what immediately comes to mind? For many, the first thing they think about would have to be the phrase “thank you,” right? Well, it technically goes far beyond that. It’s a profound sense of appreciation for the people, experiences, and things that we have in our lives.
Practicing gratitude means acknowledging the goodness in life, which often comes from outside of ourselves. It helps us recognize that there are sources of goodness that we can appreciate, whether they come from other people, nature, or even higher powers.
The Psychological Benefits of Gratitude
So, this, by far, deserves the most attention! Gratitude has a remarkable impact on our mental health. Actually, there’s been studies have shown that practicing gratitude can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. But how? Well, when we focus on the positive aspects of our lives, it shifts our mindset away from negativity and worry, fostering a more positive outlook on life.
There’s actually a very popular study that everyone likes to reference that was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, back in 2003 were individuals who wrote about things they were grateful for on a weekly basis exhibited higher levels of well-being compared to those who wrote about daily hassles or neutral life events . This suggests that a regular gratitude practice can enhance our overall mental health and happiness.
Boosts in Physical Health
Believe it or not, gratitude can also benefit your physical health. So, you need to keep in mind that physical health and mental health are heavily intertwined. When you mentally feel you, you’ll physically feel good, and vice versa. So, those who are grateful tend to take better care of themselves, and this then leads to better physical well-being. For instance, they are more likely to exercise regularly, eat healthier, and attend regular check-ups with their doctors. You’re just able to sleep better, have a potential impact on chronic pain, and even lower the likelihood of diseases. You’re just willing to be proactive and take better care of yourself when you’re expressing gratitude to yourself and the world.
Improving Sleep Quality
So, this piggybacks on what’s being said above, but when you’re in a mentally and physically good place, it’s just easier to sleep better at night. If you’re struggling to fall asleep at night, then gratitude could be a perfect solution to this.
Have you ever had the struggle of all the bad memories or mistakes that you’ve made in the past? What about the potential fears of the future? Those are things that tend to keep people up at night, and it’s not a comfortable feeling, right?
So that’s why it helps to incorporate gratitude daily, especially into your nightly routine.If you’re reflecting on what you’re thankful for before bedtime can help calm your mind and prepare it for a restful night. Instead of worrying about the challenges of tomorrow, focusing on the positive aspects of today can create a peaceful mental state conducive to sleep.
It’s Better for Relationships
Whether it’s friendships, family, or even a marriage, understanding and showthing that gratitude can have such a marvelous impact on the relationship itself! Technically, even a professional relationship such as coworkers, can be beneficial, too.
It’s so easy to see why expressing gratitude makes others feel appreciated and valued, which can strengthen your bond with them. When we thank others and acknowledge their contributions, it fosters mutual respect and understanding. But again, this is perfect for marriages or other serious relationships; couples who express gratitude towards each other usually feel more positive about their relationship, and it truly is a great way to hold a relationship together.
Boosts Self-Esteem
Last but certainly not least, you can count on a nice boost of self-esteem, too. When you’re grateful, you focus less on what others have that you lack and more on what you have. This shift in focus can reduce social comparisons and boost your self-worth. There’s a problem in the world of having to constantly compare ourselves and what we lack, but instead, it’s better to focus on what you have.
How to Practice Gratitude Daily
Now, you’ve read for yourself the incredible benefits of why you should incorporate this daily into your routine, next up, it’s best to focus on the “how”. So, how can you practice this daily?
Keep a Gratitude Journal
One of the best and most effective ways to practice gratitude is just simply by keeping a journal. You don’t need anything fancy, just a simple journal or notebook and a pen. Technically, you could even use Word, Google Docs, or even a journaling app. But the way is to write down three things eat day that you’re grateful for. These can be big or small, from a kind gesture from a friend to a beautiful sunset. Reflecting on these moments can help reinforce positive thinking.
Express Gratitude to Others
It’s best to just take the time to thank the people in your life. Whether it’s a heartfelt note, a text message, or a verbal expression, letting others know you appreciate them can strengthen your relationships and spread positivity.
Use Visual Reminders
It’s not super common, but this is something else you should think about. So, this could be photos of your loved ones, an object that makes you happy, or even the clothes you’re currently wearing.
Start Practicing Today
Overall, there’s nothing but benefits from incorporating this practice into your daily habits; there’s hardly any time being spent, no money is being spent, and there’s nothing but benefits to gain!
Citations
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/thankfulness-how-gratitude-can-help-your-health#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20that,anxiety%2C%20chronic%20pain%20and%20disease.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/evidence-based-living/202311/giving-thanks-how-gratitude-strengthens-relationships#:~:text=Showing%20gratitude%20to%20loved%20ones,satisfaction%20with%20their%20sex%20life.
