Gratefulness: Why it’s a Superpower (3 min read)
The Power of a Grateful Heart
A lot has been said about the power of gratefulness. You’ve probably heard that being grateful can make you happier, improve your health, and even help you live longer. But do you know why? In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at the science behind gratitude and explore why being grateful is so important.
The Science of Gratefulness
Researchers have been studying the effects of gratitude for years, and the results are pretty clear: gratitude has a powerful positive impact on our lives. Here are just a few of the ways that gratefulness can improve our lives:
Gratefulness Makes Us Happier
One of the most well-known benefits of gratitude is that it can make us happier. It’s not hard to see why; when we focus on the things we’re thankful for, it’s natural to feel happier and more positive. Gratitude also helps us to savor the good moments in our lives, which leads to increased happiness over time. And if that’s not enough, research has shown that gratitude can also reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can lead to increased happiness. Put simply, we literally cannot experience feelings of suffering (anger, frustration, sadness, etc) at the same time as feeling truly grateful. In other words, we all have a super power to snap out of negative feelings in an instant by pointing out something we are grateful for.
Gratefulness Improves Our Physical Health
It’s not just our mental health that benefits from gratitude; research has shown that gratitude can also improve our physical health. One study found that people who kept a weekly gratitude journal reported fewer symptoms of illness and felt better about their overall health than those who didn’t keep a journal. Other studies have shown that gratitude can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and even boost immunity.
Gratefulness Helps Us Live Longer
One of the lesser-known benefits of gratitude is that it can help us live longer. One study found that seniors who were more grateful had a lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who were less grateful. Another study found that people with heart failure who kept a daily gratitude journal had better physical functioning and were more likely to exercise than those who didn’t keep a journal.
These are just some of the ways that gratefulness can improve our lives. So next time you’re feeling down or stressed, take a moment to think about the things you are thankful for. You may just find yourself feeling happier, healthier, and more content with life. After all, gratefulness is your super power.
Let’s Grow!
-Anthony
Bonus Tips:
The more specific and detailed we get with what we are grateful for, the more powerful the affect it has. Rather than “I am thankful for this cup of coffee”, try to expand on the journey it took to create the cup of coffee. For example “I am so thankful that I get to experience this cup of coffee that took a farmer somewhere in the world months to nurture and produce the crop that some business person decided to launch a business of coffee bean transport and an entrepreneur opened this coffee shop that allows me to enjoy this moment of delight”. (See how that second one, more specific and detailed, builds up the gratitude to block out any negative feelings?)
Express gratitude verbally. When we make sounds (speech) it affects our physiology. By thanking someone (more specific the better), we are increasing the positive affects of gratitude on not just our own body, but the ones hearing the gratitude as well. Share the love :-)