How gratitude improves your life?

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful. Being grateful every day has the potential to improve your mental and physical health. All of us being busy often forget to be grateful for all the little things we have. But, gratitude can improve your life, and most of the time, it will also impact society. Gratitude improves your life to a great extent. And, the short story below will tell you how important it is to acknowledge small things in life.

The feeling of gratitude for you might be different from a child selling balloons on the streets to earn for the food he’s going to eat today. So, for him, food might be the most significant thing to be grateful about, and for you, it might just be another day with the food on the table. That reflects how we forget to be thankful for the things we consume daily or are part of our everyday routine. And, this reflects how most of us fail to appreciate many things around us and take them for granted just because they’re readily available. Practicing gratitude will make you more empathetic towards others, and that’s what the world needs right now. 

How gratitude improves your life?

1. Improves your mood: All of you know that one can’t stay in the same mood for a long time. And it gets influenced by various external and internal factors, like not getting admission to your desired college or school, not getting good marks or your desired jobs. There are so many things happening with us and around us every day. Also, the pandemic has shown us how important it is to stay grateful for good health. Gratitude can help you with that pandemic anxiety that you might be experiencing. So, if you’re feeling low, take a pen and write the things you’re thankful for in your life. And, you can free to do it on your smartphone also. Be grateful for everything. It further reduces the instances of stress and depression. 
2. It makes you more optimistic: Gratitude has the power to change your mindset about things. You might be pissed off because of your recent rejection or any failure in life, big or small. But, a single thought of gratitude and belief that “everything happens for your highest good “can change your perspective about the circumstance, and you will overcome the struggles in your mind. Thinking about the problems will not decrease them, so it’s better to look at the bigger picture and make you more optimistic.
3. Improves physical health: Gratitude not only improves your mental health by helping you with stress and anxiety. But, it can also improve your physical health; being grateful for your health every day will encourage you to strengthen your body with the best food and a good workout session. Being thankful for your health shifts your focus towards it. Because most of the time, we don’t recognize its value until we fall ill. So, gratitude for health will improve your physical health. And, exercise will also release endorphins which are natural mood elevators. So, a simple attitude of gratitude can help you enhance your physical health, which then improves your mental health. And, that’s how the feeling of gratitude improves your life.
4. It gives you peace of mind: A calm mind is what most of us wish for, and with so many thoughts running in our mind every minute, sometimes it gets challenging to control them. And, this is where gratitude comes in. Gratitude helps you shift your focus to the good things in your life and restore your peace of mind. It will make you believe that “all is good.” Emotions are meant to be felt, and it is normal to have positive and negative emotions. But holding anything for too long is harmful to mental health. So, gratitude helps you by shifting your focus to the good things in your life and gives you peace of mind.
5. Improves relationships: Gratitude has the power to improve your relationships. And, this is not only about your relationship with your friends, partner or family. It’s also about being grateful to strangers for the small things they do to us without knowing us, and this further helps build a happy place to live. Also, your thankful nature towards everyone indicates your respect towards them and reducing social comparisons. Social comparisons aren’t always good. So, if you want to develop positive relationships, say thank you often.
6. Makes you more empathetic: Empathy in simple language is when you emotionally understand the world from the other person’s perspective. Putting yourself into the other person’s place and feel what they are feeling. And empathy is stronger than sympathy. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression. People who express daily gratitude are more empathetic towards others and don’t carry the feeling of revenge. Thus, greater peace of mind also. 
7. Your sleep will improve: There are different ways to improve sleep, and gratitude is one of the best ways to enhance sleep quality. And, it is not only good for night sleep, but it can also help you start your day well. The better you sleep, the better your following day. The peace of mind that it gives is responsible for this, so take some time to calm yourself and sleep well.
8. Reduces anxiety and depression: Gratitude helps manage negative emotions like guilt, shame, etc. And can reduce stress and depression. Especially, during the pandemic time. Writing what you feel will help you release the feeling you’ve been holding for too long. However, it is always recommended to seek a specialist. And, you shouldn’t feel bad about it. Each one of us has the freedom to experience emotions, don’t suppress them, and seek help if needed. 

How and when can you practice gratitude?

There’s no perfect time to do it, and you can express your gratitude whenever and wherever you want.

1. You can start writing a gratitude journal.
2. Take a box, decorate it as you want, or leave it like that. Please write what you’re grateful about on a small piece of paper and add it to the box. And, you can do this anytime.
3. You can write things you’re grateful for on your phone or laptop. It’s your choice.
4. Say thank you often. 🙂 Or, like a thank you letter and give it to your loved ones.
5. Help someone in need. 

There are many other alternatives to express gratitude, and you’re free to choose any. And see how gratitude improves your life. Also, write your unique ways to express gratitude in the comment section below. 🙂