The Power of Gratitude

How Being Grateful Can Make You Healthier

Now more than ever is a time where showing gratitude and kindness to others goes a long way. Expressing our appreciation is a wonderful way to enhance our health, and how being grateful can lead a to a positive lifestyle as a result.

What does it mean?

Gratitude is the act of feeling thankful and appreciative for everything that surrounds us. When we’re grateful, we take more time to stop and recognize what we have, instead of what we don’t. It allows us to be more compassionate, positive, and respectful towards others. 

Health Benefits of Gratitude

Studies show that those who are more grateful generally tend to be happier in their lives. While it might not be easy to stay positive all the time, gratitude is a trait that can be built and strengthened so that we’re able to change our outlook about our experiences and become healthier.

Emotional Intelligence

Expressing gratitude indicates that we are able to navigate through our feelings and those of others. Being in tune with our emotions and what makes us happy helps to elicit more gratitude in our everyday lives.

Less Stress

When our emotions are regulated, we respond to difficult situations with a clearer thought process and minimize our stress when it comes to making decisions. We will also begin to think of hardships as opportunities to grow, rather than situations that drag us down.

Setting the Mood 

When we take the time to acknowledge the good around us, we invite more happiness in our lives. Surrounding ourselves with a gracious atmosphere keeps us in a wonderful mood and promises joy.

Self Care

Waking up with a grateful mindset everyday means that we’re able to love and appreciate our bodies. By doing this, we’re more likely to get up and engage in activities that help us take care of ourselves internally and externally. Nourishing our bodies keeps us away from illnesses and improves our sleep patterns as well. 

3 Ways to Express Gratitude

1. It just takes a little love

Letting our loved ones know how thankful we are for everything they do is a great way to strengthen the bond we have with them and reinforces the trust we have for one another. Sometimes our peers don’t hear words of affirmation very often, so reassuring them that they are cared for and appreciated not only spreads love, but is an act that reminds us to send our best wishes whenever we can. Simply thanking our friend for lunch is a great example of gratitude, and it lets them know that their company is cherished.

2. Grab A Pen!

We can easily practice gratitude by writing about our day, and notating what we were thankful for. For example, if we felt like we had a great workout, we could write that down in our journal. By doing this, we’re acknowledging our feats and treasuring the days as they pass. You can start off by opening your journal once a week, and then try working your way up to jotting something down everyday.

3. Building a Community

Volunteering is the easiest way to meet new people and bond over what means the most to us. When we help each other, gratitude and positivity comes back to us infinitely.

It takes practice, and patience. But, when we remember to be grateful in our circumstances and for our people, we are healthier whatever life brings.