Attitude of Gratitude Health Benefits

October 27, 2017

Living with an attitude of gratitude isn't just something that you should be practicing one day a year on Thanksgiving, it's a lifestyle and a mindset that leads to health and happiness - after-all, being happy - that's all about anyway right? I think so. And this life we live is too short - we get caught up in the day to day hustle and bustle, caught up with negativity and negative people and attitudes that have the ability to bring us down. Well, stop....instead, practice the attitude of gratitude as a lifestyle choice, make it a priority to be grateful and reap the tremendous health benefits. Scientists have even noted that gratitude is associated with improved health.Open your eyes to a gratitude practice and all of a sudden things start to fall into place for you.

Attitude of Gratitude Health Benefits

People who are thankful for what they have are better able to cope with stress, have more positive emotions, and are better able to reach their goals. Cultivating a sense of gratitude will help you refocus your attention toward what's good and right in your life, rather than dwelling on the negatives and all the things you may feel are lacking. Here are some more benefits that studies show happen for those people that make this a practice: -take better care of themselves physically and mentally -more likely to exercise regularly -eat a healthier diet as a lifestyle choice and not as a fad -are more mentally alert -cope better with stress and challenges -feel happier and more optimistic -have stronger immune systems

One of the most effective ways to practice gratitude is by writing down the things that you are grateful for! Oprah referred to this as a gratitude journal she kept to capture the moments she was grateful for, she noted that as she got busier in life, gained more possessions, more fame and more money she was feeling less happy - she realized one difference was she stopped writing in her gratitude journal, here is what she says happened when she went back to jotting down what she was grateful for: "The difference is, I'm back to journaling—electronically—and whenever there's a grateful moment, I note it. I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up for you in life changes your personal vibration. You radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you're aware of all you have and not focusing on your have-not."

Now it's your turn! When I personally start to do this my list does not end! I am blessed and so are you! Just think about it and you will start to feel happy...when I start my list here are just some of the things that come to mind, my family, my friends, my faith, food, my home, my car, my health, my family, my friends, a stable job, love, passion, my cats, following my dreams, the places I've traveled to, the places I plan on traveling to, the experiences I've had that make me who I am and who I am becoming and who I plan to be, my family, my friends...did I mention, my family and my friends??! Of course I did! People, that's number one - if you have a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a friend to lean on - that alone means you are blessed and if you have multiple people you love and trust that consider yourself as winning the jackpot. After-all, money can't buy happiness, the things that are most valuable are priceless! Spend a moment to jot down at least one thing that you are grateful for each day and your brain, mind, body and soul will feel happier and in turn you will be healthier! If you can't jot down the things that make you happy, at least think about them and remind yourself how blessed you are. And remember to be grateful for even the smallest things - it could be a conversation with a stranger that taught you a lesson, a new feeling, something you saw that was beautiful or interesting, something you learned, a peaceful moment, your child's laughter, your mom's cooking - anything!