Practicing gratitude makes you feel good, improves relationships and promotes better health. It also helps you become more empathetic toward others and a more generous person.
In a recent study, students who practiced gratitude reported feeling more optimistic and happier than those who did not. They were more likely to sleep well, exercise more and reported lower levels of stress.
There are countless reasons why you should express gratitude and give back, but here are just a few of them:
When you're stressed, your brain releases a variety of chemicals that can have a negative effect on your health and well-being. Being grateful can help you reduce the impact of these harmful repercussions, and research shows that practicing gratitude can actually improve your mental health.
During challenging times, it can be easy to get caught up in the little things that aren't exactly going your way. However, when you are thankful for the things in your life that are bringing you joy and happiness, you are more likely to notice the silver lining in tough situations.
Being grateful can improve your self-worth and self-confidence, and it may even increase your motivation to accomplish goals and grow in your career. Being grateful also helps you build positive relationships with others, and can lead to stronger social bonds in general.
The act of giving back can have a powerful effect on our lives. It can make us feel good, boost our self-esteem and make us more willing to help others.
People who show gratitude tend to have stronger social ties, with research showing that it can be contagious. This is known as “upstream reciprocity.”
For example, if you write someone a heartfelt note of appreciation, that person might want to do the same for you — and this could lead to a positive spiral of gratitude.
This is because you’re showing them that they are valued and important in your life. It also helps them realize they can count on you for support and help in the future.
One study even found that participants who wrote about things they were grateful for reported more happiness and better moods than a control group. And they also remembered more happy memories than sad ones.
As a result, feeling grateful can help improve a variety of aspects of our health and well-being, says psychologist Simon-Thomas. It can lower our stress levels, improve our immune system and strengthen relationships with family and friends. And it can lower blood pressure and inflammation, reducing our risks for depression.
Gratitude makes you happier and more productive, and it’s even a great self-care habit to practice when things are tough. Research suggests that it can boost your happiness and motivation to work harder by increasing your self-esteem, strengthening your relationships, and giving you a greater sense of purpose in life.
It can also help you get rid of common physical ailments, including headaches, stomachaches, and congestion, and make it easier to sleep well at night. A recent study by UC Berkeley found that participants who regularly practiced gratitude had more energy and were less likely to have physical issues than those who did not.
In addition, practicing gratitude can reduce your risk for depression and anxiety, because it promotes positive emotions instead of negative ones. Gratitude also decreases the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in your body.
In the workplace, gratitude can be particularly effective when it’s expressed by leaders. Studies show that managers who express gratitude in the workplace boost morale, increase employee engagement, and improve job satisfaction. It can also help create a positive organizational culture that motivates employees to do their best.