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Gratitude is the quality of being thankful. It is showing appreciation for giving and receiving acts of kindness. Performing acts of kindness has many benefits to our health, both mentally and physically. When we practice gratitude, we improve our daily wellbeing and overall happiness. Gratitude helps us with our mindset. We learn how to be more positive and be kinder to ourselves and others. We want to treat other people the way we want to be treated. This increases everyone’s sense of happiness which in return improves our health.
Some examples of how you can practice gratitude:
- Donating to a charity or cause
- Saying hello to a stranger
- Complimenting others
- Saying thank you more
- Volunteering
- Make someone smile or laugh
Acts of gratitude can improve our health in many ways and has benefits to both our mental and physical well-being. As you start incorporating gratitude regularly in your routine, here are some benefits you may experience.
Mental Benefits:
- Reduces negative emotions and thoughts
- Decreases anxiety and stress levels
- Increases self-esteem and self-confidence
- Releases positivity toward ourselves and others
- Decreases depression symptoms
- Increases sense of belonging
Physical Benefits:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Increases immune system
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Reduces inflammation due to the increase of oxytocin
- Recover quicker from injury or illness
- Improves our sleep habits
Get started with implementing gratitude daily with these 5 actions:
- Start a gratitude journal
- Each day think of 3 things you are thankful for
- Meditate or recite gratitude affirmations
- Focus more on other’s intentions
- Thank someone new every week
Gratitude is very powerful. According to psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It helps people to become more positive, create and build stronger relationships, and improves our overall health and well-being. Start your acts of gratitude today!
