The Surprising Benefits of Gratitude for Your Health
You’ve probably heard that gratitude is good for you. But did you know that the benefits of gratitude go far beyond feeling thankful?
In fact, gratitude can improve your health and well-being in ways you may not even realize. Keep reading to learn more about the surprising benefits of gratitude.
Gratitude and Your Health
It’s no secret that your physical health is directly related to your mental health. And according to some research, gratitude may be the key to improving both.
One study found that people who reported being more grateful had better sleep quality, less fatigue, and less physical pain.
Other studies have shown that gratitude can reduce the risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure.
So how does gratitude improve your physical health? For one, gratitude decreases stress levels by shifting your focus from negative experiences to positive ones.
Additionally, gratitude strengthens the immune system by increasing levels of IgA, an antibody that helps fight infection.
Finally, gratitude improves cardiovascular health by increasing levels of “good” cholesterol and decreasing levels of inflammation. All of these things combined can lead to a longer, healthier life.
Gratitude and Your Mental Well-Being
In addition to improving your physical health, gratitude also does wonders for your mental well-being.
Studies have shown that grateful people are more resilient, have higher self-esteem, and are more likely to maintain close relationships than those who don’t practice gratitude.
Additionally, gratitude has been linked with decreased anxiety and depression.
10 Ideas for Incorporating Gratefulness into Your Life
Ready to feel the benefits of gratitude for yourself? Incorporating gratefulness into your daily life is easier than you might think. Here are 10 ideas:
- Keep a gratitude journal and write down three things you’re thankful for every morning, and three things you’re thankful for each evening. This will start and end your day off right.
- Write a thank-you note to someone who has made a difference in your life—and make sure to deliver it in person if you can!
- Help someone in need or volunteer your time at a local charity or community organization.
- Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line or do some other random act of kindness for a stranger.
- Give compliments freely and let people know when they’ve made an impact on you or brightened up your day. Make a point of complimenting 2 people each day.
- Spend time with loved ones and cherish the time you have together—make sure to tell them how much they mean to you!
- Live in the present moment as much as possible and savor the small joys that each day brings. See my Mindfulness posts: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life and The Easy Way to Practice Mindfulness Every Day on how this too can impact your life.
- Take care of your body by exercising regularly, eating healthy meals, and getting enough sleep—your body will thank you for it!
- Make it a point to notice all the good things happening around you, no matter how small they may seem. Take a look around and notice 3 things that are good in your life. Do this several times a day and you will find gratitude everywhere.
- Give thanks for all the blessings in your life—big or small! By taking the time to appreciate what you have, you’ll realize just how much there is to be grateful for.
So there you have it—10 easy ways to start incorporating gratitude into your life today! Just remember that even small acts of kindness and appreciation can make a big difference in your overall health and well-being—so what are you waiting for? Start counting your blessings today!
Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. And in the spirit of this day, I am reflecting on everything that I am grateful for. Although I may complain occasionally, I have a very blessed life and I am truly grateful for that. I am grateful for my family, friends, the country I live in, my job, my ability to travel, my health, an much more… I am also so grateful you have read this post!
Please leave a comment and tell me what you are grateful for today.
Resources:
American Heart Association News, Gratitude is a healthy attitude.
Moieni, M., Irwin, M. R., Haltom, K. E. B., Jevtic, I., Meyer, M. L., Breen, E. C., Cole, S. W., & Eisenberger, N. I. (2019). Exploring the role of gratitude and support-giving on inflammatory outcomes. Emotion, 19(6), 939–949. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000472
Hartanto A, Majeed NM, Lua VYQ, Wong J, Chen NRY. Dispositional gratitude, health-related factors, and lipid profiles in midlife: a biomarker study. Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 11;12(1):6034. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-09960-w. PMID: 35410991; PMCID: PMC9001645.
Anna L. Boggiss, Nathan S. Consedine, Jennifer M. Brenton-Peters, Paul L. Hofman, Anna S. Serlachius. A systematic review of gratitude interventions: Effects on physical health and health behaviors. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Volume 135, 2020. 110165, ISSN 0022-3999, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110165.