The Gratitude Experiment - The Science Behind Happiness

One of my health coaches spent several weeks on Gratitude. What is Gratitude? Gratitude is simply taking time to think about all the positive things in your life. It doesn’t require telling anyone else that you are grateful for the things they have done (although that helps!).

Research has taught us that Gratitude makes us healthier. HappierHuman.com has documented 31 benefits of Gratitude and they are listed below:

1. Gratitude makes us happier
2. Gratitude makes people like us
3. Gratitude makes us healthier
4. Gratitude boosts our career
5. Gratitude strengthens our positive emotions
6. Gratitude develops our personality
7. Gratitude makes us more optimistic
8. Gratitude reduces materialism
9. Gratitude increases spiritualism
10. Gratitude makes us less self-centered
11. Gratitude increases self-esteem
12. Gratitude improves your sleep
13. Gratitude keeps you away from the doctor
14. Gratitude lets you live longer
15. Gratitude increases your energy levels
16. Gratitude makes you more likely to exercise
17. Gratitude helps us bounce back
18. Gratitude makes us feel good
19. Gratitude makes our memories happier
20. Gratitude reduces feelings of envy
21. Gratitude helps us relax
22. Gratitude makes you friendlier
23. Gratitude helps your marriage
24. Gratitude makes you look good
25. Gratitude helps you make friends
26. Gratitude deepens friendships
27. Gratitude makes you a more effective manager
28. Gratitude helps you network
29. Gratitude increases your goal achievement
30. Gratitude improves your decision making
31. Gratitude increases your productivity

With all those reasons it seems obvious gratitude is a good thing to make a regular part of your life.

The Science of Happiness: Gratitude

This is the video my Health Coach Dana challenged me with:

Then she challenged me to do the experiment. So I sat down, wrote the letter and called my person.

It was kind of hilarious. He was not expecting that call and ask me if I was dying. I owned up to the fact that I was challenged to do the experiment and sent him the link to the video and challenged him to do the same. Now I am going to challenge you to watch the video, write your letter and make the call. Everyone who did the experiment experienced an increase in their happiness. Go ahead, you deserve it.

There are a lot of crummy things going on right now and it is easy to only see or focus on the negative. I encourage you to look for good, do something for someone else and be part of the solution. Practice being grateful and you will enjoy the benefits.

Here is a Wellcast video on Gratitude you may enjoy.