What’s So Great About Gratitude?

By Kristi Turner

I don’t know about you, but this time of year just naturally elevates my feelings of gratitude. The changing of seasons and the explosion of fall colors deepen my appreciation for life. Celebrating Thanksgiving and gathering with my family around a table filled with good food and lots of laughter reminds me of all the little things I can be grateful for.

Gratitude seems to get a lot of attention, especially during this season. You can’t scroll far on social media without seeing a post/picture showcasing what someone is grateful for. Gratitude is talked about a lot, but what do we really mean when we say we are grateful for something?

What is Gratitude?

Merriam-Webster defines gratitude as the “state of being grateful”. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as the “quality of being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Simply put, gratitude is a positive emotion that involves being thankful and appreciative. Gratitude happens when you recognize and value the good things in your life and the efforts of others. It can be developed in deeper ways by focusing on the positive aspects of life, even amidst challenges.

The Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude is unique in the fact that it is a state of being that when practiced consistently can become a trait or a more enduring quality of one’s personality. The act of being grateful can turn into a lifestyle of gratitude. Being grateful can actually change our character!

More specifically gratitude can lead to:

· Increased wellbeing – practicing gratitude is associated with greater happiness and overall mental and physical health.

· Strengthened relationships – expressing gratitude can foster warmth and kindness, improving connections with others.

· Internal affirmations – gratitude is an internal affirmation of the good that exists in the world and in your life.

· Improved focus and resilience – a grateful mindset helps you stay focused and better cope with adversity.

· Boosted self-esteem – gratitude reduces social comparisons by helping you appreciate what you have, which can strengthen self-worth.

· Regulated nervous system – expressing gratitude can trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to regulate heart rate and blood pressure for relaxation.

The Practice of Gratitude

There are many ways that you can practice gratitude. The goal is to find a practice that resonates with you and that you will want to do consistently.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

· Keep a gratitude journal – regularly write down things you are thankful for.

· Go on a gratitude walk – use your walk to pay attention to and appreciate your surroundings.

· Express gratitude to others – verbally thank a friend or family member or write a thank-you note.

· Create a gratitude jar – write down things you’re thankful for on slips of paper and put them in a jar. Pull out slips to read during difficult times.

· Engage in random acts of kindness – helping others can foster a deeper sense of connection, reinforcing feelings of gratitude.

What is something you can do to practice gratitude today?