Focusing on gratitude helps you put a space between thought and action.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is a positive, but complex, emotion with several interpretations. Some say it’s the action of saying thank you when someone gives something. Others say it has a biological and societal component that helps humans thrive in social environments.
Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, it’s clear introducing a gratitude practice into your daily life has several benefits:
Purges Negative Emotions
There’s no room for toxic emotions in someone who practices gratitude every day. Being thankful helps you appreciate the good in your life, making it easier to let go of jealousy, dissatisfaction, envy and other negative feelings. It even keeps chronic conditions like depression, anxiety and stress at bay.
Helps Cultivate Deeper Relationships
When you’re aware of the value others add to your life, it shows in your words and actions. Your peers will notice your new selfless form of love and find themselves gravitating to you; some may not even know why. Your relationships with them become deeper and more fulfilling.
Increases Self-Control
Focusing on gratitude helps you put a space between thought and action. It cultivates within you a sense of awareness that lowers your anxiety levels and increases your patience, focus and discipline. This lets you live in the moment without making rash decisions or saying or doing things you’ll regret later.
Boosts Physical and Mental Health
Living a life of gratitude not only helps you build stronger relationships with others, it also changes you on a biological level. In a study published on the website for the American Psychological Association (APA), researchers asked patients with heart failure to write in gratitude journals for six weeks. Results found those who actively took part in this experiment improved their sleep, reduced the presence of inflammation in their bodies, and eased their symptoms of heart failure.
How to Practice Gratitude
Expressing gratitude is more than saying thank you to the person who opened the door for you or bought you a gift. Scientifically, it is more than an action or mere word. It’s a positive emotion with a biological purpose.
The practice of gratitude begins when you affirm the good in your life. Accomplishing this goal is much easier if you follow these tips:
Begin Journaling
This is one of the most effective ways to practice gratitude. Do it whenever you like, it doesn’t matter if it’s once a day or once every four. Just be specific, let your feelings out, and speak your truth.
Add an extra level to your practice by writing about what you appreciate about your life. Take this moment of reflection to breathe into the positive feelings welling up inside of you. This is a great way to end the day, start it or lift your mood when you’re feeling down.
Smile More
The physical act of smiling changes the way you feel inside, the reason doesn’t matter. Consequently, this affects the energy you put out and how people react to you. In fact, a genuine smile can ease the tension in a frustrating social interaction in seconds.
One More Thing
Living a life of gratitude has many positive benefits on several different levels. But it can take hours, days, even months to see significant changes. Stay the course and don’t lose hope. Remind yourself that growth in gratitude takes time. Appreciate the good things in life, pay it forward, and know you’re headed in the right direction. You’ve got this! QCBN
By Jamaal McCoy
Jamaal McCoy is the general manager of Findlay Auto Group Prescott. He can be reached at 928-443-8300 or jmccoy@findlayauto.com.
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