Gratitude means mental appreciation of major or minor events, elements or materials in life. When some people express gratitude, they feel thankful for some particular in their life. Although most people indulge in contemplation of what they don’t have in their life, which can induce feelings of sadness, and other negative emotions. While taking a proactive approach and being thankful can promote more positive thoughts, feelings of well-being, and happiness in life.
Even, extensive scientific researches have proved that people who express gratitude are happier, healthier and forms better relationship. (1)
Today, in this article, we have discussed some of the major benefits of this simple practice, which are backed by empirical evidences and researches.
Gratitude Boosts Happiness:
When a person genuinely feels thankful for what he or she have, it can instantly promote a sense of happiness. Because our thoughts can influence our state of mind. Practice of gratitude can promote positive feeling thus promoting happiness. Studies have found that gratitude practice can increase happiness because it triggers a sense of appreciation, and positivity. (2) Just five minutes practice of gratitude a day through journaling can boost long-term happiness. (3)
Gratitude boost optimism:
Optimistic thoughts and feelings are necessary to live a fruitful life. Because optimism can help us in going through hard moments, and further help us staying more mentally punctual. Gratitude practice can enhance optimism, because you are appreciating even minor things in your life for which you are grateful for. It has a definite positive affect on your psyche. According to a study, gratitude practice can establish a more positive viewpoint in life. (4)
It reduces mental stress:
Stress is a physiological reaction to challenge or demand, and stress is normal part of our life. But chronic stress grows into painful emotions. Sometimes, over exposure to stressful situations can give rise to mental illnesses, such as depression and PTSD. But research has proved that practicing gratitude can be a helpful tool in relieving some of the painful symptoms associated with mental illnesses. (6)
According a 2017 study published in the journal Scientific Reports, gratitude can reduce symptoms of anxiety, because it positively intervenes with brain area which are associated with those function. It can also promote calmness. (7)
Gratitude can enhance life satisfaction:
Gratitude will teach us the value of appreciation. When we contemplate on what we don’t have, we may feel negative emotions such as sadness. But when we appreciate what we have, it instills positive thoughts in our mind. Which makes us feel better. Positive thoughts can enhance life-satisfaction. Research has also proved the point that, gratitude can increase life satisfaction. (8)
It can release trauma and grief:
Gratitude not only reduces stress, but it may also play a major role in overcoming trauma. A 2006 study, published in Behavior Research and Therapy, found that Vietnam war veterans who practice more gratitude has showed lower levels of PTSD Symptom.
As gratitude practice involves a state of positive mind, where someone is expressing his or her appreciation of even minimum elements of life. It is triggering more positive thoughts. Also, as discussed above, gratitude practice can calm the brain associated with anxiety and negative thoughts. Thus, promoting calmness and mental recovery.
It can make you healthier:
Positive effects of gratitude practice are beyond the psychological outcome. A healthy mind can positively affect our overall health. Gratitude practice can make you grateful for even smallest thing in life, which can feel you more appreciated with life. Hence, it will make you more positive and mentally well. And helping you living a better life.
A 2013 published proved the point, which concluded that people who practiced gratitude were more likely to report better physical and psychological well-being as they participated in more healthy activities. (9)
It enhances Positivity:
The practice of gratitude is to appreciate every major or minor thing you are grateful for. While most people complain about lack of materials in their life, which can cause sadness and incompleteness. But being grateful can instill a feeling of appreciation for life. The more you stay grateful, the more you will see the transformative affects of gratitude. Some of them are discussed above, which are more happiness, better emotional resilience, and better health outcome. All of those combined will help your psyche adopt a positive mindset. Positive mindset is one of the prerequisites to living a satisfied life.
In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers found that people who practiced daily journal of things which they were grateful for, reported more positive feelings, and experience more psychological benefits. (10)
Footnotes:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/in-praise-of-gratitude-201211215561
- Emmons and McCullough, 2003
- Seligman et al., 2005
- Peters et al., 2013, pp. 93-100
- Watkins et al., 2008
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10615800802203751?journalCode=gasc20
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5506019/
- Datu & Bernardo, 2020
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3489271/
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2003-01140-012
