We have all heard that gratitude will improve our mental health and encourage positive thinking, but did you know that gratitude can also improve your physical health?
Over the years, studies have shown that gratitude can improve psychological well-being, self-esteem, and relationships. It is linked with reducing aggression, impatience, and depressive symptoms. We have been long aware of these tremendous mental health benefits.
But studies have also found that it can assist in lowering blood pressure, boosting quality and length of sleep, improving heart functioning, and decreasing overall aches and pains. Employees who received gratitude from superiors experienced greater motivation in the workplace, and the company overall had less turnover. It also increases bonds in romantic relationships as couples highlight their appreciation for each other.
Gratitude improves our daily life in so many incredible ways. So how do we implement gratitude to get these excellent health benefits?
Here are a few ideas to get your gratitude started! Whether you do this daily or weekly, consistency is key! So add a reminder to your phone and start reaping some of those gratitude health benefits!
Gratitude Journal:
Daily or Weekly
Spend time writing about specific situations in your week that brought you joy. Explain what happened, who was there, why it made you happy, and what you learned from your experience. The more descriptive, the better! This will help you identify the good relationships, experiences, and memories you are building.
Quick Gratitudes:
Daily or Weekly
Set a timer for a few minutes and write down as many gratitudes as possible. Give yourself the challenge to not repeat gratitude items over several days. This can help you dive further into the good happening in your life.
Thank-You Notes:
Weekly or Monthly
Write a note to a friend, family member, past teacher, previous boss, or even yourself! Take time to reflect on the relationship you have with that person and how it impacted your life for the better. This can help to strengthen your relationship with that person and remind you of the incredible people in your life.
Mealtime Moments:
Daily
Dedicate time during dinner to sharing what you are grateful for that day. You can do this with a spouse, friends, or children. Make it into a game for littles to enjoy, or let it be a time of bonding for spouses or family members. Emphasize your gratitude for the relationships you have with those sitting with you.
Meditation:
Daily or Weekly
Give yourself time to shut out the noise of daily life and focus on your mind, body, and spirit. You can use this as a time to verbalize your gratitude for yourself, your surroundings, or other things that keep you grounded.
However much time you have, implementing a little bit of gratitude can go a long way in helping your overall health and the health of your relationships!
