GRATITUDE

 November.  This month seems to turn our thoughts towards being grateful.  Many of my friends list on social media what they are grateful for and it seems as if there are even gratitude challenges during the month of November.  I feel that gratitude is a powerful component in my life but then I began to wonder what the benefits of being grateful are.   I found an article in Forbes magazine that listed the following scientific proven benefits of being grateful. 

     Gratitude will open the door to more relationships.  It stated that showing appreciation can help us make new friends.  Gratitude also improves our physical health.  “Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and they report feeling healthier than other people.”   Gratitude also improves psychological health.  The article stated that gratitude actually reduces a multitude of toxic emotions.  Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.  Grateful people sleep better.  The article suggests writing down a few grateful sentiments before bed.  Gratitude improves self -esteem by reducing social comparisons.  Lastly, gratitude increased mental strength.  A 2003 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that gratitude was a major contributor to resilience following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

     We all have the choice in life to be grateful or have an attitude of gratitude.  I feel that developing an “attitude of gratitude” can be one of the easiest ways to improve our lives. 

April Moedl, LCSW