Go for Gratitude

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” –Maya Angelou

“For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything thy goodness sends. I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and new.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Research confirms the importance of Gratitude and sharing it with others. 

Subjects were asked to write about what they felt grateful for. After ten weeks in the study, they exhibited huge increases in their happiness scores, were more optimistic, and felt better about their lives. They also reported exercising more and had fewer visits to the doctor following the experiment. The second group wrote about daily problems and situations that left them unhappy — it was no surprise they were comparably unhappy.

"If [thankfulness] were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system," Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center, told ABC News. He added, being thankful shouldn’t be a replacement for medical treatment, but it can improve wellness. 

Studies have shown measureable, quantitative effects on the body and brain as a result of certain hormones and mood neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, the social bonding hormone known as oxytocin floods the body with euphoria during moments of happiness and feelings of security that can be conjured up by a hug from grandma during the holidays.

The Harvard Medical School recommends following steps to help cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.

Start by writing a thank you note to anyone who has impacted your life big or small. Then, thank someone mentally and self-reflect on their importance to your happiness. 

Make it a habit to keep a journal where you can write or share throughout about emotional and physical gifts you have received. 

Take time each week to count your blessings and get into the specifics of why they make you happy. 

It’s also a good time to pray for those who are religious, and for those who are not, meditation can be the key to focusing on peace and gratitude.

Go for Gratitude!