Gratitude is a word that people tend to throw around a lot but we are going to unpack just three ways that a gratitude practice will make your life better. Gratitude is scientifically proven to make your life better and there is a lot of research to support this truth. If you surrender to the process, commit the time, and invest into the practice, gratitude is going to give you so many beautiful benefits.
The research on gratitude is clear: it's a powerful tool for improving our lives, bettering ourselves, and strengthening our relationships. If you're feeling stuck or unhappy, if you're looking for a way to connect with those around you in a deeper way, or if you simply want to feel happier, then a gratitude practice may be the perfect way to do this. No matter what life hands you, gratitude should always be at the forefront of your life. Gratitude helps you see what you have when you are focusing on what you lack, but it also enhances how you see the beautiful things around you!
Here are 3 benefits you can expect from creating this new habit and implementing a gratitude practice in your daily life.
1. Personal Resilience:
When we practice gratitude, we are shifting our focus away from the negatives that we tend to stress over and instead focus on what we're thankful for and the good things in our lives. This shift in perspective can help us to see challenges and difficulties in a more positive light, rather than dwelling on them or letting hard times consume us.
This practice leads to a more resilient mindset. By focusing on the good in our lives, we become more resilient to the ups and downs and life. And if there is one guarantee of life, it is that life will hand us both highs and lows. When we're able to maintain a positive perspective in the face of adversity, we're less likely to get discouraged, and more likely to bounce back from challenges and setbacks.
2. Decreased Stress and Increased Happiness:
Gratitude has been shown to have a profound impact on our mental health and well-being. When we practice gratitude, we train our brains to focus on the good in our lives, rather than dwelling on what's wrong. This shift in perspective can have a powerful impact on our emotions and moods.
Studies have shown that people who practice gratitude experience increased levels of happiness, reduced levels of anxiety and depression, and a greater sense of overall life satisfaction. This is because gratitude stimulates the release of feel-good chemicals in our brains, such as dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals are associated with feelings of pleasure, happiness, and contentment.
Personally, when I feel anxiety, I take 5 long and deep breaths, close my eyes, and create a quick mental list of 3 things I am thankful for. It helps my brain slow down, focus on the positive, and I feel a bit of the anxiousness slip away.
3. Strengthened Relationships:
Gratitude has been shown to have a positive impact on our relationships, both with others and with ourselves. When we practice gratitude, we are intentionally shifting our focus away from what we don't have or what may be bothering us, and instead concentrate on what we're thankful for. This shift in perspective can help us to build stronger, more meaningful relationships with the people in our lives.
By expressing gratitude towards others, we are showing them that we value and appreciate them. This can lead to stronger bonds and deeper, more meaningful connections. When people feel appreciated and valued, they're more likely to be open and responsive to us, which is the process of building trust. This creates a positive feedback loop of gratitude and connection. Over time, this can be so powerful in strengthening our relationships.
For example, if I spend time reflecting on what an incredible woman my mother is and how grateful I am for her, I guarantee you I will end up sending her a text, calling her, or driving to meet her for coffee for some quality time. These small actions help establish a deeper connection with a person you are thankful for, and makes them feel loved.
You can read more about gratitude journaling in our Ultimate Guide to Gratitude Journaling post. Gratitude goes so much deeper than just three benefits - and there is so much research that proves it. Gratitude has the power to change everything and we believe it has the power to change the world.
