3 Reasons Why an Attitude of Gratitude is Required [in Life]

By Sarah Carlson, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®

An attitude of gratitude is what we need if all aspire to lead healthy and happy lives. In our quest for happiness, we humans do everything in our power to boost our contentment and stay away from negativity and pain. However, most of us tend to overlook this powerful tool: one that is already within us, completely free to use, and one of the most abundant and reliable sources of happiness.

It is easy to be grateful for only a few days out of the year. However, research shows what gratitude means and by being thankful throughout the year can have tremendous benefits for your quality of life and health.

Read on for the scientific benefits of gratitude and how to look for more ways to give daily thanks in your life.

How an Attitude of Gratitude can Affect the Body

1. Gratitude can change your brain. There is quite a bit of science behind gratitude – namely, that gratitude is a powerful tool that can actually change the neural pathways of your brain. Being thankful triggers the brain regions associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine feels so good to get that it is considered the "reward" neurotransmitter of our brains. But getting one hit of dopamine is usually never enough.
   
   Your brain will start to look for ways it can repeat the action to get more, which helps create a virtuous cycle. So, once you start recognizing things to be grateful for, your brain will actually start looking for more things to be grateful for – all for that boost of happiness.
   
   
2. Gratitude increases mental strength. For most of us, when life throws us an unexpected curveball, the last feeling we expect to feel is gratefulness. However, science is there to show us we do. Even after a traumatic event such as an act of violence, terrorism or nature, studies have shown that those who survived it benefit from a greater appreciation of life.
   
   It's not that the trauma disappears and gratitude takes its place – the aftermath of coping through difficult feelings will take time to heal, but often they are accompanied by a deep sense of thankfulness for life. Recognizing all you have to be grateful for – even during your worst and most low moments – can help foster strength and resiliency in all sorts of ways.
   
   
3. Gratitude can help you get along with others. As social creatures, humans put an enormous amount of importance on cultivating successful and fulfilling relationships, be it with our coworkers, family, friends or romantic partners. But oftentimes, we can take relationships for granted and forget to nourish them in a way that fosters growth.
   
   One easy fix: express your appreciation for others. Intentionally establishing an attitude of gratitude can help you feel more positively towards others, more supportive, and more willing to help people out without requiring anything in return. Gratitude can also help reduce toxic emotions, such as envy, frustration, anger and resentment. It sounds so simple, but sometimes just by telling another you are grateful, you can improve a relationship.

How to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

1. Try creating a daily gratitude habit. During your day, find time to quietly identify any number of people, situations or things that you are grateful for, whether big or small. A gratitude 30 day challenge journal while writing down a gratitude list will help you find that often the things you are most grateful for aren't material things, but the people you have in your life, your health, your ability to be there for others, and the wellbeing of those around you.
   
   
2. Express yourself. Make a point to express your honest thanks to someone that helps you – be it your barista, the bank teller, or the receptionist on the other end of the phone line. Make it a goal to be thankful for someone each day.
   
   
3. Slow down and take time to reflect. Sometimes the key to being grateful is simply slowing down. During your busy day, try to find a moment to pause from the daily grind. Gratitude affirmations help acknowledge the ways others have helped you along in your journey.

Conclusion

Often, with our busy day-to-day lives, it can be hard to remember to thank people. We might feel grateful but we forget to express it, or we assume that the other person already knows how we feel. But we all have the ability and opportunity to be a little more thankful in our lives. 

The proof is in the pudding: gratitude can create a ripple effect of improved happiness, well-being, and positivity to help create a kinder world. Gratitude is the investment that never fails.

Be strong: Physically, mentally, financially.

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Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

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