Did you know that gratitude can have a profound effect on not only your mental and emotional well being, but also your physical well being? It’s true! Numerous studies are now confirming what religious leaders and philosophers have said for years – cultivating a grateful attitude can enhance your overall wellbeing. Having an “attitude of gratitude” can:
- Boost your immune system
- Help you better manage stress
- Contribute to your success in your professional and personal life
- Improve your relationships with others
- Increase happiness and reduce depression
- Help you sleep better and longer
- Improve your self-esteem
- Increase mental strength
- Enhance empathy
- Help you better deal with feelings of loss
So how can you establish a lifestyle based on gratitude? I would suggest just a few simple ways that you can practice gratitude to help with your relationships, your health, your frustrations and fears, and much more.
- Keep a gratitude journal or write a gratitude list. Simply write down a list of things you are thankful for, whether it’s your family, your friends, your job, your computer, your car, your home, or your health.
- Appreciate others. If you want, you can keep this personal and write down why you are grateful for specific individuals. I think it’s even better, however, to tell them why you are grateful for them and their influence in your life.
- Take time every day to think of what you’re grateful for. A great way to do this is to think about or even say out loud some of the things you are grateful for as you lie in bed while you wake up in the morning and before you fall asleep at night. Starting and ending your day with gratitude is a wonderful way to live.
