Art of Life/Donna Parker
Giving Thanks
Giving thanks is an acknowledgment of blessings in your life. The human need to express gratitude seems to be a powerful and almost universal phenomenon. But why?
The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.
Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier or thinking they can not feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.
Here are five reasons why giving thanks is actually good for you.
Counting blessings boosts your health. research shows that grateful people had less depression and stress, lower blood pressure, more energy, and greater optimism.
Slows down your age clock.
Put the brakes on stress. Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone,” and when our bodies produce too much, it can deplete the immune system and raise blood sugar levels. A study conducted at the Institute of HeartMath Research Center in California found that positive emotions like appreciation significantly lowered levels of cortisol.
Being thankful helps you bond. Research indicates that gratitude also can lead to better relationships. The explanation may be connected to increased production of oxytocin, sometimes called the “bonding hormone” because it fosters calm and security in relationships.
Gratefulness = good for the heart and waistline? According to research, people with high blood pressure who actively express thankfulness “can achieve up to a 10 percent reduction in blood pressure and decrease their dietary fat intake by up to 20 percent.”
Tips to help you cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.
Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank you note, letter or email expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person's impact on your life. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.
Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual.
Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you've received each day. Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.
Pray. People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate gratitude.
Meditate. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase, it is also possible to focus on what you are grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.).
With benefits like these, maybe we should practice being thankful more than once a year. What else can people do to cultivate more gratitude in their lives?
In the spirit of this article, I would like to Thank all my readers for your love and support.
