Gratitude, Always

November 21, 2016 | Jennings Johnstone Davis, Ed.S, LPCI

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With Thanksgiving just a few days away, people are beginning to reflect on what they’re thankful for. While we place great importance on giving thanks, spending time with family and enjoying great food this week, taking time to give thanks ALL year long contributes to improved mood and quality of life. In fact expressing gratitude regularly can provide life-long benefits you might find surprising.

Forbes has identified seven benefits of gratitude:

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.

2. Gratitude improves physical health.

3. Gratitude improves psychological health.

4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.

5. Grateful people sleep better.

6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.

7. Gratitude increases mental strength.

When it comes to relationships, people appreciate others who appreciate them. A simple “thank-you” or even a hand-written thank you note can strengthen connections and lead to future opportunities. In terms of physical health, people who are more grateful tend to take better care of their health, exercise more, and report fewer aches and pains. Not only is gratitude shown to help reduce resentment, envy, and frustration, but research demonstrates an increase in happiness and a decrease in depression for people who intentionally express gratitude daily.

In a study published in Applied Psychology, individuals who spent 15 minutes each night writing in a gratitude journal tended to sleep better as a result. In a different study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, gratitude was found to improve self-esteem which can ultimately improve one’s performance. Additionally, studies show that since self-esteem is often hindered when people make social comparisons, those who express gratitude more often can, instead, appreciate other people’s successes and positive traits with greater ease and sincerity. Finally, for many years it has been known that gratitude decreases stress, but new studies are finding that gratitude can also increase resiliency in people who have experienced trauma.

It seems that an attitude of gratitude is beneficial even on days when we’re not gobbling up turkey and dressing. I think I’ll start today identifying everything I have to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Amy Morin, 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude that will Motivate You to Give Thanks Year-Round, http://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/#3fd8e0986800, 2014.