Why Should You Cultivate Gratitude?

Did you take the time to post one thing you are grateful for each day last month? November is typically a time when many of us are more thoughtful and thankful. But a spirit of gratitude shouldn’t be reserved for National Gratitude Month or Thanksgiving Day. Nor should we celebrate our blessings only through certain seasons. We’ll be happier if we make it a habit to express gratitude every day all through the year.

You’ve probably heard about the research that shows an attitude of gratitude is good for your health. People who are grateful tend to be more likely to be active. They are also happier. Consider this research:

• University of California San Diego’s School of Medicine found that people who are grateful have better heart health.
• Universities of Utah and Kentucky found that being grateful may help boost a person’s immune system.
• Other studies have found that being grateful can help reduce stress, improve brain health, and improve sleep.

But have you considered that being grateful can also help you be more successful? Authors Eric Mosley and Derek Irvine found several ways gratitude can help people achieve more. In their book The Power of Thanks, they cite research that shows people who are grateful tend to have high moral values, a strong work ethic and a sense of commitment to their jobs. In addition, they are more likely to work well with others. These are only a few of the characteristics that often accompany a sense of gratitude, but all are necessary when it comes to being successful.

For many of us, it’s not that we aren’t grateful. It’s more that we get so caught up in business and responsibilities that we simply forget to pause to appreciate what we have. So how can you cultivate a spirit of gratitude? Try these simple steps:

1. Write it down. Keep a gratitude journal. According to Berkeley’s Greater Good in Action, one study found that people who kept a gratitude journal reported having better moods, being more optimistic and sleeping better.
2. Say thank you. Not only will a verbal or written “Thank you” make you feel better, but it will also make the recipient feel better.
3. Make a conscious decision to find something positive in every day. We all have bad days. Making yourself step outside the bad to find something good will help shift your focus from the negative to the positive.