I don’t know about you, but I WANT to be happy, healthy, and content. Who doesn’t? I look for ways to maximize my satisfaction with life. In fact, most of us will spend our resources – time, money, emotional energy – to get there. What if I told you that one of the most powerful tools in your pursuit of happiness is one we all have access to every day? And, what if I told you that this amazing tool doesn’t cost any money and it doesn’t even take much time? Enormous benefits, low cost. Sounds like a win-win to me.
What is this powerful tool? The answer might surprise you. It’s Gratitude. The practice of recognizing the good stuff in your life and giving thanks for it – not just once a year over turkey but as a way of life. The science behind the benefits of this simple practice is stunning.
See it for yourself – research reveals these five benefits:
- Improved physical health. Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and they report feeling healthier than other people, according to a 2012 study.
- Improved psychological health. Gratitude reduces toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.
- Better sleep. Writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep. Spend just 15 minutes jotting down a few grateful sentiments before bed, and you may sleep better and longer. The wild success of the 5-Minute Journal is based on this concept.
- Increased mental strength. Research reveals that gratitude not only reduces stress, but it may also play a major role in overcoming trauma. Recognizing all you have – even during the worst of times – fosters resilience.
- Deeper Connectedness. People usually recognize that the source of their good stuff lies, in part, outside themselves. As a result, gratitude helps people connect to something larger than themselves — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.
A few other benefits include improved self-esteem, better relationships, enhanced empathy, and reduced aggression.
During the last year as I have embraced the practice of journaling through my Miracle Mornings, I have found this pause for gratitude to be a life-giving practice.
What about YOU? How will YOU cultivate gratitude today? Can you take a few moments during your lunch break to focus on all that you have? A few minutes of intentionality might lead you to the satisfied life you’ve been longing for.
Come back next week when I follow-up with a few practical tips on how to cultivate this important practice.
