When is the last time you gave a thank you card? How does it feel when someone gives you a deep heartfelt thank you? Have you offered one lately?
Gratitude is powerful. Science has proven that practicing gratitude can make a big difference in your life – in both your mind and body! One study reported that “Keeping a gratitude journal causes less stress, improves the quality of sleep, and builds emotional awareness.”
When we express and receive gratitude our brain releases hormones called dopamine and serotonin. These are both also crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions. The release immediately improves our mood and makes us feel happy. If we practice gratitude on a daily basis, we help our neural pathways to strengthen and create a permanent grateful and positive disposition.
In addition, research proves that gratitude improves interpersonal relationships. Researchers say that gratitude is an emotion that directly supports building and sustaining social bonds. Whether we realize it or not, connection to others is an critical part of well-being.
Expressing gratitude to ourselves is important too. Almost every night before sleeping I name three things I’m grateful for. I include at least one thing about myself that I appreciate such as something I did or a quality. I encourage you to do the same. Let’s take it another step. I challenge you to show extra gratitude to someone at least once a week. Maybe your neighbor brought your trash bin back or smiled at you, a person at the grocery was especially nice, your child was kind to a sibling, a family member helped you, etc. Thank you for reading!