As a child, we grew up with our parents always reminding us to be nice to other people and to always say “Thank You”. We have done this practice because we think that we need to grow up as well-mannered and kind individuals. That it is socially right and it is expected from us by the community we grew up to. Also, Sheela Raja, Ph.D. says, “Research suggests that individuals who are grateful in their daily lives actually report fewer stress-related health symptoms, including headaches, gastrointestinal (stomach) issues, chest pain, muscle aches, and appetite problems.”
But why should we really be grateful? What are the good reasons to make gratitude a daily practice and part of our routine?
It Makes You Happy
Yes, it simply makes you happier. A good reason to start your day is to feel grateful and happy. Being grateful for all the blessings you have can make wonders for your day. When we feel grateful for someone who showed us an act of kindness, as humans, we are compelled to give back. In reciprocating this feeling, it becomes a cycle that is not only good for you but to society as well. According to Robert Emmons, UC Davis psychologist and author of Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, “Science shows practicing gratitude can considerably increase your ability to be happy.”
There are actually psychological researches done about being grateful. A group of people was asked to spare 20 minutes of their daily morning routine to write anything that they are grateful for. It can be anything for as long as they are thankful for it. Small or big, it does not matter. The result was, that a group of people who continued that routine for a month were, in fact, happier with their lives.
Try it! Do make it a “first thing in the morning” practice to meditate and just simply write or say to yourself at least five blessings you have in your life. It could just be a simple “thank you for the good weather, for the hearty breakfast, for my cat, etc.”. It could be things you were happy about yesterday. You can even do this on your way to work while driving. Whichever works for you, as long you can practice being grateful!
It Makes You Healthy
Being grateful in fact has a positive effect on your wellbeing. It gives you that instant boost in your feelings just by remembering the things you were happy and grateful for. It makes you feel blessed even in a small way. It has the positive vibes that surround you. Positive feeling means a more positive outlook in your life.
Thanking those blessings attracts more of those blessings to come into your life. Being grateful also means being more resilient to life. Drama and trauma in your life normally happen once in a while right? It is a fundamental part of living, yet if you know very well that you have been blessed, you are grateful, then, these negative things will be easier for you to overcome. That’s because you try to see the light in every situation. That is how you cope up with life.
Appreciation, feeling of gratitude, and positive emotions were linked to optimism which in turn has a good impact on the well-being and the health of any person. “Gratitude is a quality of thankfulness,” says Joree Rose, LMFT. “It’s something you intentionally choose to focus on and practice, which means you don’t just feel it; you do something about it.” Studies show that it has a beneficial effect on better sleep, a good heart condition, immune system, and mental health as well. People also have a better coping mechanism with loss and trauma because they are mentally strong.
Positive Outlook in Your Life
It has been proven that being grateful is linked to being happy and being happy in turn makes you more positive and content in your life. It gives you confidence because you know that whatever adversity life throws at you, you know that you’ll survive it. It may sound like cliché, but it is true, you always see the bright side of life.
Move Forward
Gratitude helps heal the past, it lets you move forward and focus more on the blessings that you have in the present. You do not dwell in the past because you know that what you have right now is better than before in one way or another. It makes you move on with your mistakes. Gratitude makes you realize the lessons you need to learn and be thankful for them. You do not waste time feeling sorry for yourself because you know that every situation has a hidden gift of blessing in them.
Be More Patient
It also makes you more patient, while waiting for the things you are praying for, gratitude makes you appreciate the things that you go through or have while waiting for that answered prayer. It makes you develop that feeling of kindness and compassion to other people because you know that you are far too blessed which also strengthens your spirituality and belief.
Let Go
Gratitude helps you let go of the things you do not have control of. You accept the fact that change is imminent in this world. You let the world take its turn and welcome all the changes it has to offer. You embrace all these things because you always feel positive about any circumstance or change it will have on your life. You go on with your life knowing that whatever happens, you know that you can and will cope up. Gratitude makes you a much stronger individual than before both mentally and physically.
Better Relationship
Showing appreciation and value to one’s partner has a beneficial effect on any relationship. It makes your partner feel good of themselves and in return makes you also feel good of yourself. Appreciation of one another significantly improves the relationship. A simple thank you for the small things your partner does for you can come a long way. It both makes you feel better about having one another.
Gratitude is not just beneficial for a relationship that involves couples. It can also make a difference in your relationship with your friends, family, colleagues and the community. People love to be with people who exude positive energy than be with people who always complain about their life. The positive energy that these people have radiates back to the people around them. This is the reason why grateful people are very likable. They are happy and light to be with. Source: redfairyproject.com