Gratitude is vital all year

Thanksgiving was last week, and the Christmas season is upon us. This year I have been chomping at the bit to get the tree up and the rest of my decorations out, but I am a firm believer in giving Thanksgiving the respect it’s due.

Though the day has passed, the reasons to be thankful continue far beyond that one day. I believe in being mindful of all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon me, always, but it is always beneficial to actually name them often.

So this year, as years past, I am so very thankful for family and friends who fill my life and my heart with joy and love. I am so grateful for my spiritual life which solidly gives me hope and peace.

I am grateful for my job(s), which provide me the ability to provide for my needs and give me a sense of pride and fulfillment. I am thankful for my home, which is cozy and my safe space, and a place for my family and friends to gather.

I am thankful for the opportunities that have been presented to me, whether they be financial, travel, social or a myriad of other categories.

I know how lucky I am and I appreciate every wonderful aspect of life.

Just as a reminder of why having an attitude of gratitude is such a vital part of life, I’m sharing the 28 proven benefits.

First, being grateful makes us happier. When we are mindful of the blessings we already have, it makes us feel better about our lives.

Second, it increases our psychological well-being by impacting our self-esteem and easing feelings of depression.

Third, being grateful enhances our positive emotions because it is hard to be negative and to feel down when we are focusing on the good things in life.

Next, by maintaining gratitude, we remain more emotionally balanced and more positive.

Being grateful makes people like us because it makes us seem more trustworthy, social and appreciative of others — all of which draws other people to us.

When we express our gratitude to others, it can also improve not only our romantic relationships, but also the quality of our friendships in general.

Expressing gratitude can increase our social support when we need it, while simultaneously decreasing the need for it, and it can also strengthen our family relationships in times of stress.

Gratitude feeds optimism, so practicing it can give us an optimistic attitude about life.

Gratitude reduces aggressive tendencies while enhancing empathy and increasing our resilience.

It will increase our spiritualism, make us more giving, and perhaps reduce our materialism because when we appreciate what we have, we are less likely to be focused on acquiring more.   

Being grateful can also help us in our professional, or work, lives. Practicing gratitude enhances our managerial skills because we find it easier to relate to our co-workers and gives us the temperament to lead effectively.

We will find ourselves less impatient, and it can improve our decision making skills because we will be less likely to be driven by short-term gratification urges.

Gratitude can help us find meaning in our work, which is vital in finding joy, and it will help us be dedicated to our work, which, in turn, will likely result in success.

Studies have found that people who count their blessings at least once a week experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure. It also improves your sleep quality, increases your frequency of exercise and improves your overall physical health.

With the overwhelming evidence of practicing gratitude, it seems a no-brainer that only good can come from it and as I think about thankfulness, a sign hanging in my parent’s house always comes to mind.

It says, “Imagine waking up tomorrow with only the things you are thankful for today.” It always reminds me of how many blessings I have in my life, and I ultimately always feel better for it.

Sources: Ackerman, C. E. MA (2021) 28 benefits of gratitude & most significant research findings. PositivePyschology.com. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-gratitude-research-questions/