Gratitude is powerful
In good times and bad, there is always something to be grateful for
There is no way around it — 2020 has been hard. Far too many people have lost family and friends to the novel coronavirus. Election politics revealed deep divisions in our nation that will take time and hard work to heal. With the holidays approaching, families are planning different kinds of celebrations to keep their loved ones safe.
But even during these harder times, finding good things to be grateful for is important to do every single day. A large body of research shows that intentionally engaging in a practice of gratitude has benefits for both the mind and body.
Benefits for the mind
The power of gratitude has been studied for years, focusing on subjects from across demographics and all walks of life. The benefits for mental health can’t be denied, and have been quantified. According to researchers at Indiana University, the mental benefits of gratitude include:
- Decreased feelings of depression and anxiety.
- A better ability to cope with stress.
- Increased feelings of confidence and self-worth.
- Generally higher feelings of happiness.
What’s more, they also found that practicing gratitude may even rewire the brain to be more sensitive to experiencing gratitude. In short, it’s likely that gratitude breeds greater gratitude.
Benefits for the body
What some may find surprising is that there are physical benefits associated with having an attitude of gratitude. Robert Emmons, a leading expert on gratitude and professor of psychology at University of California-Davis, notes in his book “Gratitude Works!” that numerous studies have consistently found practicing gratitude can lead to:
- Improved cardiac health.
- Decreased blood pressure.
- Better sleep habits.
- Quicker recovery from illness.
- Increased feelings of energy.
There may be times when finding something to be grateful for is more challenging, but it’s never impossible. Sometimes it’s as simple as admiring the color of the sky at sunset. Take a moment right now to look around you or deep inside and find something to be grateful for. You will find it.
