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Gratitude makes
you healthier
and happier
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what another person by writing a thank-you letter
an individual receives. With gratitude, people expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of
acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the that person’s impact on your life
process, people usually recognize that the source
of that goodness often lies outside themselves. Thank someone mentally. No time to write?
So, gratitude also helps people connect to Just think about someone who has done
something larger than themselves — whether to something nice for you, and “send’ your
other people, nature, or a higher power. thought to that person.
There is a growing amount of research backing Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to
up the following benefits of gratitude. write down one thought about the gifts you
1. Gratitude improves physical health. Grateful have received each day.
people experience fewer aches and pains and
report feeling healthier than other people. Count your blessings. Reflecting on what
2. Gratitude improves psychological health. went right in your life or what you are grateful
Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic for. As you reflect, be specific and think about
emotions, from envy and resentment to the sensations you felt when something good
frustration and regret happened to you.
3. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces
aggression. Grateful people are more likely Pray. People who are religious can use prayer
to behave in a prosocial manner, even when to cultivate gratitude.
others behave less kindly.
4. Grateful people sleep better. Writing in a Meditate. Mindfulness meditation involves
gratitude journal improves sleep. Spend just 15 focusing on the present moment without
minutes jotting down a few grateful sentiments judgment. Focus on what you are grateful for
before bed, and you may sleep better and longer. (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound,
5. Gratitude improves self-esteem and increases etc.).
mental strength. For years, research has shown
gratitude not only reduces stress, but it may also Cathy Larionova
play a major role in overcoming trauma.
Links to research articles:
Ways to cultivate gratitude https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/pdfs/
Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself GratitudePDFs/6Emmons-BlessingsBurdens.pdf
happier and nurture your relationship with https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/
in-praise-of-gratitude
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