We love that people spend time thinking about what they’re grateful for during the holidays, and we teach and encourage our patients to actively practice gratitude all year long! Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to change your attitude, outlook and create a more positive life As it turns out, there is scientific proof that being grateful is good for your health! However it doesn’t happen by accident; you have to be conscious and intentional with your gratitude practice, here are some ways to get your started.
KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
Scientists performed an experiment in which they asked one group of people to write down the things that they were grateful for on a weekly basis, while the other group recorded hassles or neutral life events. The group who kept gratitude journals exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were generally more optimistic about the upcoming week—compared to their negatively focused counterparts. At the end of each day, write down one thing, big or small that you are grateful for. Try to make it something different everyday.
SHOW APPRECIATION
Scientists have found that a one-time act of thoughtful gratitude produced an immediate 10% increase in happiness and 35% reduction in depressive symptoms. The happy effects disappeared within three to six months which shows that gratitude is an act to be repeated again and again. Every act of gratitude counts, and it can be as small as saying thank you or telling someone important how much they mean to you.
GRATITUDE CAN BOOST A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP
While being grateful is good for you, being on the receiving end of it can do wonders for your romantic relationships! A recent study found that after receiving gratitude, participants noticed that their partner was more responsive to their needs and overall more satisfied with their relationship. Gratitude was shown to have had a long-term effect that was seen six to nine months later. While mornings can be a hectic time before heading out of the house, make it a point to tell your partner how much you care about them.
We hope you all have an amazing holiday season <3
