Practicing Gratitude

 

Thanksgiving is full of food, family and traveling. With all the busyness it is important to remember what Thanksgiving is about: Gratitude. Practicing gratitude is one of the simplest things you can do to transform your life, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start. Don’t believe that gratitude can transform your life? Well, the proof is in the “stuffing.” Read below for 5 scientifically proven benefits of practicing gratitude.

1. Practicing gratitude will make you happier than money, or “stuff.” Focus your attention on amplifying what you have and not what you don’t have. Focusing on what we have will have a greater impact on net happiness than pursuing more money or more material objects.

2. Practicing gratitude makes us stronger emotionally. Gratitude improves our self-esteem and lowers our risk of depression. Practicing gratitude also improves our resilience and ability to deal with trauma. Gratitude also reduces toxic emotions like envy, resent and regret.

3. Practicing gratitude makes for a healthier body. Gratitude improves our immune system and white blood cells to fight disease and decrease stress hormones like cortisol. A gratitude practice also decreases blood pressure and heart rate variability.

4. Practicing gratitude leads to a greater sense of professional success. A simple “thank you” from a boss, or supervisor gives people both a strong sense of self-worth and self-efficacy. The expression of gratitude is contagious; individuals become more trusting with each other and more likely to help each other out when they’re grateful.

5. Practicing gratitude improves sleep. Gratitude increases sleep quality. A gratitude practice reduces the time required to fall asleep and increases sleep duration.

Ready to practice? Today is Gratitude Tuesday. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving is a day when people around the world are invited to take a moment, think about the friends and family who have made their year great, and share some much-needed love and appreciation.

This Thanksgiving TLC The Littleton is thankful for all our wonderful patients, family and friends. What are you thankful for?