Gratitude comes from the Latin word “gratus” meaning “thankful” or “pleasing.”
Gratitude is when you feel thankful for the good things in your life. When we become grateful, we do not compare ourselves to others. Thus, it helps us acknowledge our achievements and blessings.
Oprah Winfrey once said, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
When we’re caught up in our daily routines and challenges, it's easy to lose sight of the things that truly matter. Many of us tend to focus on what we don't have or what could be better but by practicing gratitude daily we can make a positive change in our lives.
Gratitude is a beautiful way of enriching our lives. It refers to the feeling and attitude of appreciation and thankfulness for the good that we receive in life. It has been proven scientifically that when we express our gratefulness to other people, we feel happier and calmer.
Plato said, "A grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things."
Gratitude can have a positive impact on your life as it makes you appreciate what you have rather than what you don’t have. Gratitude helps us to feel more positive emotions and appreciate good experiences, which in turn gives us a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Benefits of showing gratitude:
Effects on mental health:
Gratitude is a positive emotion that involves being thankful and appreciative and is associated with several mental and physical health benefits.
Gratitude increases mental strength. Research has shown that gratitude reduces stress and may play a significant role in overcoming trauma. It
causes our brains to release more positive neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin that lessen the effects of stress in our bodies.
By being grateful for the positive things in our lives, we make ourselves happier.
Gratitude decreases symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones boosts your mood, calms anxieties, and leads to optimism. In particular, gratitude impacts the limbic system of the brain. The limbic system is the part of the brain that is responsible for all emotional experiences.
Effects on physical health:
Feeling grateful improves sleep quality because of the positive thoughts which may calm the nervous system. An attitude of gratitude can lead to lower levels of stress hormones which results in a lower risk of heart disease. Being thankful, even for the little things, helps to improve blood pressure, and even reduce inflammation. Gratitude has also been shown to have a positive effect on the immune system because it decreases the stress hormone cortisol.
Effects on relationships:
Gratitude not only improves your physical and mental well-being; it may also improve your relationships. When we express our gratitude towards others, it strengthens our bond and inculcates feelings of happiness. Research has shown that expressing gratitude releases oxytocin or the “love hormone” which builds a greater connection and bond between two people.
How To Practice Gratitude:
Expressing gratitude is more than courtesy, manners, or being polite. It's about showing your heartfelt appreciation. When you thank someone, it shows you've noticed something good, and you've genuinely appreciated it. Gratitude can have a lasting positive impact if we work towards incorporating it into our daily lives. Actions that display gratitude are more valuable than solely feeling gratitude toward others.
15 Simple Ways To Make Gratitude a Part of Your Life:
1. Keeping a gratitude journal. Write down 5-10 things that you are grateful for each day. It trains your mind to look at the brighter aspects of your life.
2. Count your blessings, appreciate the good, and focus on what’s right in your life. You can see, smell, hear, talk, walk on your feet, sleep on your bed. You have a roof over your head, food on your table, and clothes to wear. These are the blessings we often take for granted.
3. Call a friend that you haven't spoken to for a while.
4. Pay for someone's coffee.
5. Compliment a parent on how well-behaved their child is.
6. Letting someone go in front of you in line.
7. Checking in on a loved one.
8. Write an appreciation note.
9. Appreciate someone for their hard work.
10. Be willing to share what you have – books, clothes, food, and even your time and skills – with your loved ones and those less fortunate.
11. Plan something they enjoy.
12. Give a gift.
13. Appreciate the person who cleans your house.
14. Host a party or event.
15. Offer to run an errand for a busy friend. Take on extra chores around the house. Express gratitude for all they do by doing some of it for them.
Random acts of kindness can make a big impact not only on other people's lives but on our own too by improving our overall well-being.
By focusing on what you're thankful for, you're training your mind to spot the good in life. This makes challenges more manageable and helps you feel more positive.
The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.” — Norman Vincent Pea
Don't forget to share this information with your loved ones.
All the best!
