Gratitude and Mental Health

Did you know gratitude can play a part in our mental health and overall health and happiness?

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and Christmas not far behind, we really take the time to think about all of the things we are thankful and grateful for. But, are there actual scientific benefits to gratitude? According to an article in Psychology Today, there are!

7 Scientifically-Proven Benefits of Gratitude, an article written by Amy Morin.

Gratitude:

1. “Opens the door to more relationships. Saying “thank you” constitutes good manners, and showing appreciation can help you win new friends.
2. Improves physical health. Grateful people can experience fewer aches and pains and report feeling healthier.
3. It improves psychological health. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.
4. It enhances empathy and reduces aggression. Gratitude helps us be kind, even when others are not.
5. Grateful people sleep better. Writing in a gratitude journal can help to improve sleep.
6. Improves self-esteem. Studies have shown that gratitude reduces social comparisons.
7. Increases mental strength. Research shows that practicing gratitude not only helps reduce stress but can also help overcome trauma.”

For the full article by Psychology Today

We’ve created a FREE PRINTABLE for you!

Interested in practicing gratitude?

It’s really quite simple and doesn’t have to take much time. Sit down for a few minutes in the morning, or evening and follow these 4 steps.

1. DAILY AFFIRMATION – write down a warm fuzzy or positive thought about yourself. These statements can be used to encourage and motivate yourself or others.
2. TODAY I AM GRATEFUL FOR – take a second to think about and write down something or many things that you are grateful for.
3. 3 GOOD THINGS – think about and write down 3 good things that happened to you today.
4. GOAL FOR THIS WEEK – big or small, it doesn’t matter. Give yourself something to work towards this week. If you could only get one thing done, what would it be?

Print 1 copy of the cover, and multiple copies of the inside page, and you’re ready to get started!

Get our free Gratitude Journal printable

We are thankful and grateful for you every day. Thank you to the patients who allow us to come into their lives, thank you to our amazing referral sources who trust us with your patients care, and thank you to our colleagues, who are making a difference in people’s lives every day!

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