This Smart Bite is part of the Healthy at Home series. Photo: @Pexels.com
In the past five weeks, we have run the gamut of emotions. On any given day we might experience sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and uncertainty, along with happiness, empathy and gratitude. Psychologists have a name for this roller coaster of emotions. They call it “normal.”
The emotion that intrigues me most is gratitude. It is the ability to perceive and appreciate the positives in life, no matter how many curve-balls are thrown our way. Gratitude not only lifts our spirits; it is good for our health.
Gratitude Builds Resilience
According to a meta-analysis of research related to gratitude and health, gratitude-oriented individuals demonstrate more pro-social behaviors (Jans-Beken, 2019). These behaviors have been linked to higher levels of resilience and coping. In times of challenge and uncertainty, these individuals are more likely to mobilize existing support systems and strengthen social relationships. They don’t go-it-alone but leverage the strength and wisdom of others.
In addition, these individuals approach problems with a more positive outlook. Dr. Robert Emmons, a psychologist and professor at U.C. Davis, adds that gratitude changes our perspective. It “provides a way to view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances.”
Cultivating Gratitude
Not all of us feel gratitude in the same way, based on our genetics and life experiences. However, everyone can practice it. Here are three different ways to get started:
1. Create a Gratitude Journal. Each day write down one thing you are thankful for.
2. Find Something to Celebrate. This is a practice my husband and I started when his teenage boys moved in with us. We gathered around the kitchen island at night and each of us shared something we could be thankful for – no matter how bad the day had been. This is helpful if you or your loved ones are not prone to feelings of gratitude. You can always find something.
3. Share “What I Love About You” each day. This is a practice my husband and I have now. Each day we take a moment to tell the other person, “What I love about you today is ...” It can be as simple as “you cleaned up the kitchen.” It is a way to carve out a moment of appreciation for someone in the midst of our hectic days.
The Top Take-Away
Gratitude helps us acknowledge the goodness in our lives, despite the current circumstances. It is not a fleeting thought — it is a practice.
