Tomorrow, we celebrate World Gratitude Day! Gratitude may be one of the simplest ways to reduce stress and feel better.

According to the National Institutes of Health, studies suggest that making a habit of noticing what’s going well in your life could have health benefits. Taking the time to feel gratitude may improve your emotional well-being by helping you cope with stress. And early research suggests that a daily practice of gratitude could have positive effects on physical health, too.

Health Benefits of Gratitude

According to psychotherapist and author Amy Morin, gratitude:

• Opens the door to more relationships.
• Improves physical health.
• Improves psychological health.
• Enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
• May lead to better sleep.
• Improves self-esteem.
• Increases mental strength.

(Adapted from National Alliance on Mental Illness, Dane County)

Ideas for Practicing Gratitude

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest four ideas for developing a habit of gratitude:

• Think about why you are grateful for you. Are you grateful for your good health? For a project that you completed? Be kind to yourself by being thankful for what you’ve accomplished each day, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to.

• Write a letter to a friend or call someone and tell them you are grateful for them and why. Think of someone who did or said something that changed your life for the better – someone you never properly thanked, someone you may not have thought about or seen for a while. Reach out to that person.

• Do a favor for someone you are grateful for, or if you can, consider volunteering. Leave a meal, a plant or a card for a friend. Consider volunteering for an organization or activity where you can help others.

• Start a gratitude journal. Once each week, give yourself 10 to 15 minutes and write down people, places, objects, memories or events you’re grateful for.

When you make gratitude a habit, you can learn to recognize good things in your life even on the toughest of days. And that just might improve your physical and mental health.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institutes of Health
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Dane County