It's almost time for Thanksgiving, and this holiday presents a poignant reminder to feel grateful for all of the positive things in our lives.
But, why stop at Thanksgiving? Science has proven that thankfulness is a powerful, and simple, way to lift your mood throughout the year. Here's why this seemingly simple act has such a positive impact on your brain and health, and how to make the feeling last.
It might come as a surprise that experts have studied emotions extensively, including the impact our emotions have on our brains, bodies, and relationships. Once the idea of expressing gratitude was studied, scientists found a myriad of benefits.
People who make it a point to be thankful experience:
… and that's just the beginning. If you start making a point to find something to be grateful for every single day, I guarantee you'll notice benefits beyond the ones listed here. Even if you simply feel less negative , that's reason enough to start.
Like any habit, being openly thankful and gracious will take some development. While you're trying to build your new, gratitude-feeling self, incorporate some of these tips into your daily life:
Why wait to get started? Jot down a list of five things in your life that you feel thankful for. Once you've finished your list give yourself a few moments to truly reflect on what you've written.
Take the list-writing a step further by keeping a daily gratitude journal (or even a Word document on your computer). Write something down in your journal every day until it becomes second nature.
If you aren't sure how to get into the journaling habit, you might want to set an alarm to remind yourself each day, or keep a post-it note on your desk as a prompt. And remember, length isn't important in your journal, but your genuine gratefulness is.
Take your thankfulness out of your mind and into the world by actively showing appreciation, especially toward your friends and loved ones. You could write someone a kind note, offer to help a friend out, make a quick phone call, or any number of other actions.
How you express your gratitude isn't the most important part of cultivating a Thanksgiving mindset all year… the important part is that you do express your gratitude.