Gratitude is good for you

A simple thank you addressed to another person turns out to be far more powerful than a mere tribute of politeness. It's about gratitude. It's much talked about and recommended to practice. But why, and why should we?

Robert Emmons, for example, conducted an experiment where he found that grateful people are generally more stress-resistant and less depressed in the long run.¹

The practice of gratitude enhances positive emotions because it allows one to focus on positive events without taking them for granted.² Paying attention to all the little details that make up our lives, finding even in the most unlucky days something good and joyful for the soul, we gradually become a little happier.

How to practice gratitude?

There are different ways to practice gratitude, and you decide which way is right for you.
Here are a few ways we suggest you look at:

1. Start a gratitude journal. This is a daily practice in which you remind yourself of the benefits and good things that make you a little happier. Recall moments related to common events, your personal qualities, or valuable people in your life.
2. Share your gratitude with others. Studies have shown that expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships. So the next time your partner, friend or family member does something you appreciate, be sure to let them know.
3. Gratitude meditation. In this meditation, we focus on positive thoughts about the people and things around us, we begin to notice their value in our daily lives.

To wrap up this topic, I want to say thank you for taking the time to read this article. And remember, self-care is a priority.
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¹ Emmons, Robert A. Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 2007.
² Giving thanks can make you happier, Harvard Health Publishing (August 2021) https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier