For many of us, it’s compulsory to count our blessings at Thanksgiving. But here’s the thing – are we really grateful or just going through the motions? As we gather around the table for the big feast, are we expressing ourselves authentically or just trying to be clever?
If counting our blessings feels a bit obligatory this time of year, it might be helpful to learn that gratitude is an excellent form of self-care. In order to feel better, think about what makes you grateful. While gratitude may not be a panacea for all that ails us, it has remarkable benefits. Let me count the ways:
- Gratitude is good for your health. It has been linked to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and a reduction of anxiety and depression.
- People who practice gratitude feel more joy, optimism, and compassion. After an extensive analysis of data, Brene Brown found that virtually everyone who expressed joy also practiced gratitude.
- Gratitude strengthens our sense of community and belonging.
- Gratitude serves as a toxicity blocker. People with high levels of gratitude have low levels of resentment and envy. This is because you can’t feel envious and grateful at the same time – they’re incompatible feelings.
- Gratitude makes us more inclined to help others. A meta-analysis that tested the strength between gratitude and prosocial behaviors found a strong link between the two.
- There is a neurological relationship between gratitude and altruism, which may encourage generosity.
Gratitude works because it forces us to get out of our heads. Psychologist Robert Emmons explained that gratitude is, first, an expression of goodness, and secondly, a source of goodness that is outside of ourselves. Expressing gratitude is a humbling experience, yet it is also liberating.
Cicero said that gratitude was the greatest of all virtues. And, fortunately, it’s one that’s easily within our reach