The Overwhelming Benefits of Gratitude

Many of the world's best and brightest tend to cite one trait above all the rest as the key to their success. That characteristic is gratitude. In the words of legendary actress and singer Doris Day, “Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.”?

Today there are some incredible studies emerging to back up this attitude of gratitude. One published in Emotion Magazine in 2014 shows that thanking a new associate makes them more likely to establish a longer relationship with you. Let's take a further look at just a few of the amazing ways expressing gratitude can change your personal, professional, and social life.?

Heightening Mental Strength

Multiple studies have been done to determine just what effect showing gratitude has on fortifying our minds for overcoming some of life's most trying obstacles. One such study in 2006 found that Vietnam veterans who were more prone to expressing gratitude showed lower rates of PTSD. This study would seem to show that through expressing gratitude we further reinforce our fortitude and provide a resilience to conquer our toughest inner and outer hurdles. A recent Psych Central blog post also illuminated the effects of gratitude on mental strength citing two separate studies that showcase various types of trauma victims use of gratitude to assist in moving forward after adversity.?

Self-Esteem Booster

Showing gratitude can also help you feel better about yourself, your life, and your work. A 2003 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology showed that a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits. Self-esteem goes far beyond simply making us feel good about ourselves, however. It aids in focus on work, helps get us through menial tasks, and has been linked to keeping us striving for further achievement.??

Strengthens Overall Health

Not only have several studies shown that those who express gratitude experience less emotional and interpersonal strife, but in his 2008 thesis Alexander Wood cites two unique studies with findings that support expressing gratitude leading to a lifelong lowering of stress and depression. In addition, Wood's thesis also makes note of a large community sample study that found grateful people had better quality sleep. Wood claims this is due to grateful people thinking more positive thoughts directly before sleeping. Overall, Wood seems to find that by expressing gratitude we are able to live more healthy and fulfilling lives.?

How to Cultivate Gratitude in your Daily Life

As you can see, cultivating an attitude of gratitude can benefit you in a variety of ways from the emotional and cognitive to the social and professional. Keeping a gratitude journal is an excellent way to express your gratitude for people or circumstances that may have happened throughout your day. Though this may sound like a time-consuming activity it only takes minutes and allows you to cultivate gratitude in your daily life.?

• Try to write daily in your gratitude journal. It can be a few minutes during morning meditation or as your winding down at night. Writing down your gratitude list daily allows you to begin to cultivate more and more for which you are grateful.?
• Start simple. You don't have to write more than a few things per day starting out. As you progress you'll begin to notice more and more that you are grateful for. Let your gratitude guide you and record as many things as you notice yourself feeling grateful for throughout your day.?
• In keeping a record of your daily gratitude, don't forsake opportunities to let people know you are grateful for them or from taking a moment out of your day to celebrate the things for which you are most grateful.?

In taking these simple actions you can begin to acknowledge everything you are grateful for in your life and see the amazing benefits of doing so. At Talent Gravity we want to help you become the best you that you can be by growing your talents and skills. Contact us today to begin your journey through our unique personal and professional development.