Thankfulness - Adopting An Attitude of Gratitude

Now that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, many of us are in the mindset of giving thanks.  After all, that is what Thanksgiving is all about, but what if we were thankful every day?  Gratitude is one of the most researched emotions and the benefits of it are astounding.  Adopting an “attitude of gratitude” can make a difference is ways that you may not expect.  Gratitude…

• Makes us happier – it enables us to focus on what is good in our lives instead of what is bad.
• Reduces symptoms of depression – it deflects our attention away from ourselves and toward others.
• Improves our self-esteem – awareness of what others do for us allows us to feel better about ourselves.
• Improves sleep – it reduces the time required to fall asleep, increases sleep quality and sleep duration.
• Reduces pain - grateful people report fewer aches and pains—they are less sensitive to pain and benefit from greater pain tolerance.
• Lowers blood pressure – positive emotions trigger the body to relax
• Strengthens our immune system – gratitude increases levels of an antibody that serves as the body’s first line of defense.
• Lowers stress – it reduces the stress hormone cortisol and promotes relaxation
• Activates healing – it activates the parasympathetic, relaxing part of the nervous system, resulting in powerful positive effects.
• Helps you live longer - positive emotions have been shown to extend people’s lifespans.
• Improves relationships – expressing gratitude not only makes us feel better but also those we are in relationship with.
• Makes us more creative - positive emotions increase our field of vision.
• Makes us less self-centered - acknowledging others and their acts of kindness, results in reduced self-focus.
• Makes us humbler – gratitude reinforces humility.
• Reduces materialistic thinking - as one goes up the other comes down.
• Makes us more kind and giving - the more grateful you are, the more likely you are to help others.
• Makes us more optimistic – it prompts our mind to look at the positive, rather than the negative.
• Increases our productivity – given all the other benefits of gratitude, it is fair to assume that gratitude improves our productivity.

As you reflect on all that you are thankful for this Thanksgiving season, why not choose to take a few moments each day to give thanks and reap the many benefits of an “attitude of gratitude”.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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