Today, the benefits of practicing gratitude have been proven by science. In this article, we are going to discuss the five main benefits of always being grateful for what we have, for who we are…
When we practice gratitude as an essential part of our life, not just a passing emotion when something positive happens to us, happiness is in our hands. Gratitude and happiness often go hand in hand, and this has been proven by science. The concept of gratitude is not formed in one piece, it is a complex emotion with many benefits, both physical and social as well as cognitive. If you start practicing gratitude, you will see real benefits in every aspect of your life.
But, what exactly is gratitude?
Above all, gratitude is an affirmation of goodness in our lives, and in the world in general. It is the recognition of everything we receive, from the sun to the rain, from the food on our plates to the smile of a stranger, from the water in the oceans to our breath... everything we have, everything that we are, everything we take every moment for granted! Gratitude is the recognition that the source of this goodness is external to us.
The benefits of practicing gratitude
“Stopping time” each day to make a list of things we are grateful for has many benefits, benefits that can make a real difference in our daily lives. Besides the fact that we become more attentive and aware of the present moment, it is also a way of celebrating life. Scientists have identified five main benefits and therefore five key reasons to adopt a gratitude practice.
1. Stronger relationships
The first reason has an essential impact on our social life. Whether it's being grateful to the postman who delivers your mail every day, to the firefighters who respond to every emergency, or to your neighbor who waters your plants when you go on vacation, we have hundreds of very good reasons. simple ways to be grateful.
The social dimension of gratitude is one of the most important benefits of our gratitude practice because it helps us take a different look at our relationships with others and their place in our lives. Whether this place is local or not, whether or not you know the people who bring you comfort, help or security, on a daily basis, there are thousands of [unknown] people who “work” for us every day in order to ensure an easier life for us.
By practicing gratitude we recognize these “invisible” help from which we benefit every day. This can help us build stronger relationships because not only do we recognize the existence of things to be grateful for in life, but also – and more importantly – we identify the source of those things.
In the majority of cases, the origins of the things we are grateful for come from other people. As mentioned above, these could be family members (like your partner making your morning coffee) or strangers (the farmers who produce the food you eat, the gas company employee who checks your installations without you knowing it, etc...).
When we think about how others improve our daily lives and bring pleasure into our lives, our appreciation for them naturally increases. When we become aware of all these little things and realize how we benefit from them and through whom, it can be a real revelation. It helps us feel more interconnected and part of a whole. This allows us to realize our unity with the world and everything and everyone who composes it. The result ? We are less likely to feel alone or isolated and more likely to live meaningful lives.
According to research from the University of Manchester, the link between practicing gratitude and stronger or more fulfilling relationships isn't just subjective. Indeed, they established that gratitude influences our vision of social support, implying not only the stimulation of reciprocity, but also the contribution to creating a more favorable environment.
2. Higher cognitive functioning
Another potential benefit that science has noted is that practicing gratitude makes us more functioning individuals, and the scientists' conclusion leaves little room for doubt on this score.
Another in-depth study, conducted by Dr. Christina M. Karns of the University of Oregon on the neurological aspects of gratitude, found through brain imaging scans that practicing gratitude activated two areas of the brain responsible for processing information for decision-making purposes. This study, also conducted at other universities, showed that grateful individuals were more likely to be patient when receiving rewards, and to make better decisions in the long term. On the other hand, individuals who did not feel grateful when faced with a choice preferred immediate rewards, even if these were not as beneficial.
The researchers concluded that there is therefore a link between gratitude and self-control. Combined, these two aspects can allow us to become more rational and more focused in making decisions. Some researchers have even gone further and shown that the feeling of gratitude releases dopamine. Dopamine is a “happy hormone” that keeps neurons functioning and can increase motivation and energy levels.
Writing letters or keeping a gratitude journal has also been shown to help people achieve their goals more consistently. This conclusion has its logic. When we consciously and intentionally allow ourselves time to reflect on why we should feel grateful, it sets a precedent for our analytical thinking, which can then be extended to other aspects of our lives. So here’s another benefit of practicing gratitude!
3. More positive emotions and approach to life
When the practice of gratitude becomes second nature, implicitly we savor the little pleasures of life more and therefore take full advantage of them. This is not just a hypothesis. Social psychology suggests that gratitude is also linked with other positive emotions such as enjoyment of life, a sense of control and hope. At the same time, the study found an unlikely correlation between feeling grateful and negative emotions, such as depression, envy and anxiety. Interesting, isn't it?
It has been scientifically proven that our brain retains the negative elements of our experiences more than the positive ones. This is because of the adrenaline rush that is triggered during negative incidents. These are therefore etched more in our brain than positive feelings or memories. Another, significant benefit of practicing gratitude is that it can help reprogram our brains to overcome this negativity bias.
Other research has found that gratitude strengthens our resilience. It gives us a reason for happiness, even in difficult times. There is therefore a link between gratitude and the ability to better cope with problems and stress.
Other studies have even shown that people with depression reported a 35% reduction in their symptoms after starting a mindful gratitude practice. Another important fact from the analysis of these studies is that gratitude also seems to have a cumulative effect. Participants reported that their happiness levels continued to increase over time. We can therefore conclude this chapter by stating that the more you practice gratitude, the more the benefits could also increase.
4. Self-improvement
After listing all the benefits of practicing gratitude, it is obvious that being grateful is also a great way to develop our personal growth and that being consciously grateful can transform our personality for the better. Other scientific studies suggest that gratitude mediates between positive personality traits and emotional well-being. It acts in particular in areas such as self-acceptance, our purpose in life, our openness to others and our autonomy.
I find that there is great beauty and gentleness in the practice of gratitude. It allows us to take a look full of compassion and acceptance on life, on others and on the world in general. We can never predict what the practice of compassion will do for you personally and where it will take you, but adopting it is like going on a journey of personal discovery, and I assure you, you won't turn back!
5. Better general health
At the physical level also the practice of recognition has positive effects. Dr. Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California, and a recognized expert in the science of gratitude, says practicing gratitude can benefit our bodies and improve our overall well-being. His and his team's research was able to highlight the connection between mind and body, and thereby showed that grateful individuals are more aware of how their lifestyle choices affect their health. For example, being grateful for how good we feel when eating fresh, healthy produce will likely motivate us not to overeat or consume products that are unhealthy for our health. Therefore, because healthy eating is linked to a stronger immune system, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as lower blood pressure and control of our weight, the practice had a positive impact also on our health. Another study conducted at the University of California, San Diego, suggests that practicing gratitude also seems to be good for our hearts. After examining people at high risk of heart disease who kept a gratitude journal, they found that their symptoms worsened more slowly than those of participants who didn't follow the same practice.
Added to all these benefits, the feeling of gratitude leads to higher activity in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates sleep patterns, metabolism and stress levels.
In conclusion
As you can see after listing the benefits of incorporating gratitude practices into your daily life, all of the benefits are amazing. Why not try it for yourself and discover the transformative power of gratitude? One of the best things about gratitude is that it’s simple and costs nothing!
So when do you start?
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