Life Can Be Hard. Practicing Gratitude Can Lead To A Greater Appreciation For People And Experiences.

Maureen Ruh  Fri, November 12, 2021

What is gratitude? Is it an attitude, a feeling or an expression? How do you best describe gratitude and its effect in your life?  Broken down to a very simple level, gratitude is really about a three-step process of noticing what is happening in our daily lives, focusing on the good things and appreciating our lives.

It is important every day to notice even the small things that we experience (like sunshine, a drink of water) that we may have been taking for granted. Focusing on the positive aspects of our daily lives despite many opportunities to think negatively is important.

Changing our awareness and focus will then lead to a greater appreciation for the people, events and experiences that happen in our lives.

Gratitude brings us a multitude of gifts. It benefits us mentally, physically and emotionally. Several studies over time have shown the benefits that result from a consistent and active practice of gratitude. People who are grateful tend to feel happier, sleep better, experience more energy and have greater mental clarity.

Gratefulness causes our brain to release more positive neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin which can improve our mood. Gratefulness can lower the presence of the stress hormone, cortisol. Increasing positive brain chemicals while reducing stress brain chemicals can help to assist with certain mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression.

Stress often disrupts sleep patterns. Research has shown that gratitude journaling for five minutes before bed (writing about or listing the positive events of the day) increases our mental well-being which can contribute to an improved quality of our sleep.

People who journal daily have reported better coping skills when life challenges arise. They have noticed increased mental strength and emotional resilience. These skills help them create positive solutions, stay grounded and regulate their emotions more easily in uncomfortable situations.

Gratitude can also help with personal self-esteem and in our relationships with others. When we are grateful for what we have and who we are, we are much less likely to compare ourselves to others. Practicing gratitude helps us to release toxic and negative emotions, such as envy and resentment, while strengthening our positive emotions and feelings, such as happiness and empathy.

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https://www.yahoo.com/news/life-hard-practicing-gratitude-lead-141913021.html