You likely say "thank you" several times a day - to the barista pouring your coffee, to the co-worker holding the elevator door or to the cashier handing you a receipt. But what does it mean to be truly thankful or to live a life of gratitude? Gratitude is an attitude - a sense or appreciation to the gifts in your life, from the basic comforts of a home to the people who are important to you .
Research shows that practicing gratitude can make you happier and healthier emotionally and physically. This happens in part because thankful people tend to take better care of themselves by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and seeking regular medical care. Expressing thankfulness also builds positive feelings that are supplied in part by oxytocin, a hormone that prompts feelings of goodwill, empathy and kindness.
In addition, a study conducted suggest that the positive personal attrib- utes linked to expressing gratitude may actually help prevent heart disease.
Researchers have also found that people who regularly express their feelings of gratitude tend to:
- Get more and better sleep at night
- Spend more time exercising
- Have fewer headaches, nausea, pain and other physical symptoms of illness
- Be more alert, attentive, enthusiastic and energetic
- Have greater resistance to illness
- Experience less stress
- Have a greater sense of well-being
- View life as pleasurable, interesting and exciting
If practicing gratitude doesn't come naturally to you start by calling a friend to express appreciation for your friendship, writing a short thank-you note or tak- ing a few minutes each night to reflect on the gifts in your life. Changing your behavior in this way can change your attitude and feelings!
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