If you are a grateful person, then in addition to doing something nice for others, you are also making yourself healthier.

American psychologists Robert Emmons and Mile McCullough published a study in 2015 in which one third of the participants were asked to write down everything they were grateful for during the week, the other third - everything that annoyed them, and the third - simply describe events neutrally.  After 10 days, the first group showed better physical condition than the other groups.

Other similar studies suggest a link between gratitude and sleep quality and a reduction in anxiety, fatigue and cardiovascular disease.

Neurologists have found using MRI that at the moment of gratitude, the anterior cingulate gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex, associated with reward, value judgment, morality and social cognition, and the hypothalamus (affecting metabolism and hormones) are active.

The neurotransmitter dopamine (the pleasure hormone) is mainly released during the experience of gratitude. But the effect of gratitude lasts for a considerable time. Studies have shown that those who participate in writing a thank you letter show greater neural activity in the prefrontal cortex, even 3 months after the experiment.

It turns out that this long-term effect plays a protective role - against thoughts of suicide, the position of the victim. These conclusions were drawn from a study of adolescents.

In addition to the chemical reaction, there are also interpersonal bonuses from gratitude. Tension in relationships is often associated with too much negative feedback. Gratitude compensates for such feedback and relieves stress.

How to integrate gratitude into your daily life?

1.       Keep a gratitude journal. Every day, first thing in the morning or before going to bed, write down at least three things you are grateful for.

2.       When communicating with people, tell people every day why you value them

3.      Every time you look at yourself in the mirror, tell yourself what you like about yourself (not necessarily your appearance) or what you have achieved recently.

Gratitude is a powerful healing force. It will make you more joyful and compassionate, and will definitely improve your well-being.

But what’s even more wonderful is that you will make other people’s lives more joyful and positive too.  To sign up for a consultation with a psychotherapist, click on the button below.

Take action and you will succeed!