What if I told you that making one simple change in your life could significantly improve your health, mood, functioning, relationships and overall life satisfaction? And what if I then told you that this life-altering remedy was completely free, accessible to all, and not at all time consuming?
What is this magical elixir of well-being and happiness, you ask? The answer might surprise you! Researchers in the new field of Positive Psychology have set out to apply the scientific method to identify the factors that lead to happiness and greater life satisfaction. While many traits and practices have been identified as having life-improving qualities, the simple practice of gratitude has risen to the surface as one of the most powerful agents of change that we have at our disposal.
And what are the benefits of fostering an "attitude of gratitude?" Here is a synopsis of the impressive research results so far:
Increased Happiness and Satisfaction with Life
As we have discussed in earlier blog posts, happiness can be learned. The practice of gratitude has been shown to be able to increase overall happiness by as much as 25 percent! People who practice gratitude report higher levels of positive emotions, including joy, enthusiasm, and optimism about their futures. In addition, the practice of gratitude helps people to cope better with everyday stress and increases the resilience of people who are experiencing trauma. The practice of gratitude can also reduce anger and aggression. It's not surprising then to learn that grateful people report high levels of overall life satisfaction!
Better Relationships
Grateful people are more likely to focus on and appreciate the positive qualities of their loved ones. Not surprisingly, this leads to greater stability and more satisfying relationships to others. People who practice gratitude report increased feelings of connectedness to their loved ones and have an easier time forgiving people for their faults. In addition, grateful people appear to be more giving as they have been shown to participate in more frequent acts of altruism.
Improved Physical Health
People who regularly practice gratitude report overall greater physical health and increased amounts of energy. The research indicates that they are less likely to report symptoms of illness and have a faster recovery time when they do in fact become ill.
In addition, lifestyle factors that improve physical health also appear to get a boost when a person practices gratitude. In one study, when subjects were given an assignment to practice a daily gratitude ritual they reported falling asleep faster and sleeping longer and more soundly than the control group. During this same experiment, the gratitude group also exercised significantly more than the non-gratitude group. Gratitude's overall impact on physical health may actually lead to greater longevity. As gratitude increases optimism, optimism appears to increase our lifespan. And that's something to be grateful for!
So how can you start to reap the benefits of gratitude and become a more appreciative you? One easy first step is to join the Positively Maine November Gratitude Challenge! This November, make it a commitment to celebrate Thanksgiving by bringing more gratitude into your day-to-day life. Everyday this month, start your Facebook status or tweet with the phrase, "Today, I am grateful for..." and share the things you appreciate with your friends. Don't have a Facebook or Twitter account? Then write your responses in a journal or share them at the dinner table with your family. You'll be amazed by the power that this simple act can have.
Want more ideas about how to implement gratitude into your life or to create a more grateful family? Positively Maine offers gratitude coaching for individuals and groups, and can provide a gratitude workshop to groups of five or more. Don't live in Maine? Positively Maine offers distance options such as video conferencing, phone coaching or e-mail consultation. Contact us to find out how we can help you and your loved ones create an attitude of gratitude!
