What is gratitude?
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation for one’s life and can be used as a form of self-care practice in order to promote positivity and better mental health. The practices may seem merely simple, but they have numerous health benefits.
What practices can you incorporate to be more grateful?
Vocalizing gratitude of what you have on a daily basis is just one of the ways to incorporate gratitude. This is most efficient if done routinely at a particular time. Keeping a gratitude journal is also a very common practice. Another practice includes meditating with a gratitude list. Just being mindful may also count as a practice. While there be a plenty amount of ways to practice gratitude, finding what works for you is essential in order to maintain consistency.
Gratitude can go beyond just you; simple acts of gratitude also go a long way. This can include simple things like a thank-you card or even just acknowledging something someone has done. You could tell someone how much you love and appreciate them. You could even simply just smile more or notice the beauty in nature.
What can you be thankful for?
Well, just about anything. From the device you are reading this on to the food on your plate and the clothes on your back. You could be thankful for the family members and friends you have, music, or a hobby you are pursuing.
Benefits of Gratitude
A study conducted that observed people from ages 8 to 80 found that people who practiced gratification on a daily basis reported physical, psychological, and social benefits.
These include stronger immune systems, less blood pressure, and high levels of positive attitudes. They are generally more helpful and forgiving. Gratitude also has a tendency to make someone happier.
Gratitude enables us to appreciate the value of something, and thus we are more likely to enjoy it. This improves the quality of life and enables us to be more present in the moment.
Gratitude changes your perspective. The practice enables you to view life in a more positive light, which promotes a more optimistic outlook on life. This, in turn, reduces stress.
Why does it make us happy?
Although it may not seem like it, the practice of gratitude has the support of sciences in which experiments have shown that it boosts the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin and triggers the brain stem to produce dopamine. If you are not familiar with these hormones, the two play a vital role in regulating mood and stimulating positive attitudes. In short, the more serotonin and dopamine you have, the more positive your mood. Evidence for this includes a study conducted in the year 2008 by Alex Wood that found that gratitude can reduce frequency of depression.