Gratitude Takes Us Far
Top Traits of Thankful People
Photo by Omar Lopez from Unpslash
Research across cultures is definitive and supports what we already knew: Gratitude benefits you. Gratitude benefits me. Gratitude benefits society. Gratitude is good.
Focusing our minds, hearts, and senses on that for which we are thankful and appreciative improves brain health, mental health, relationships and physical health.
What does it mean to be thankful? Living life with thanks, with gratitude, means choosing over and over again to focus attention on what is good, kind, helpful and working. It is focusing on beauty, that which is lifting, earnest, generous. It is focusing on small gestures, on detail, and on anything one appreciates. Maintaining daily focus on gratitude is not about turning a blind eye to difficulties. It is about approaching difficulties from the perspective that even in the midst of heavy challenge, there is much to note with gladness.
Gratitude softens and connects us to each other, to beauty in our day-to-day, as well as to larger good. Studies on the physiological effects of practicing gratitude show that thankful attitudes and focus correlate strongly with improved social ties, deeper relationships, more stable careers, increased motivation, and higher self-reported rates of happiness.
The Benefits of Appreciation
Photo by Ying Chou from Unsplash
Finding what’s good promotes gratitude for who we are, our accomplishments, what is inside each of us, and what every person offers. Each of us is a marvelous combination of insight, experiences, wisdom, talents, strengths, and perspective. The mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of appreciating life and one another is in the books. The benefits are documented and astounding. Appreciating our humanity, our capabilities, those who’ve helped and taught and loved us, and appreciating what has been offered to us along with what we have to offer increases health, connection and happiness.
What are the characteristics of grateful, thankful people? People who make gratitude a daily practice tend to consistently do the following:
Maintain a fresh outlook: With focus on appreciating everyday moments, grateful people are more likely to maintain an optimistic outlook on life.
Accept themselves and others: Grateful people find enjoyment in more diverse environments and with more diverse people.
Show increased resilience: Grateful people don’t avoid setbacks or life’s difficulties. Grateful people tend to frame setbacks as part of a larger process or journey that will be worked out.
Spend time with loved ones: Thankful people actively make time for what and who matters to them.
Be habitually specific: Thankful people know and note the value of small moments and gestures. They think in terms of specifics and are tuned in to detail.
Help others appreciate: Studies show that grateful people have deeper friendships, are more helpful to others, and consequently receive more help from others. This cycle promotes appreciation in others.
Show up and step up: Self-reported grateful people show high rates of volunteering and community involvement.
Act and interact with humility: Gratitude correlates with an open, appreciative attitude, and steers away from arrogant, pretentious behavior.
Be encouraging: Findings suggest that grateful people motivate others to engage in positive, healthy activities that may contribute to their success.
Embrace Healthy Living: Grateful people exhibit lower stress, lower rates of depression, better coping skills, and report better sleep, fitness, and satisfaction with life.
Again the data is in, and it’s clear that focusing our minds, hearts, and senses on things for which we are thankful improves life, health, and connection. Maintaining appreciative regard for ourselves and others, for ordinary days and for small moments correlates with improved relationships, health and happiness.
Ready to make gratitude part of your day-to-day?
Become aware of your thoughts and framing and when you catch yourself veering toward complaining or blame, change gears. Shift toward thankfulness. Appreciate today — this day, and the beauty and opportunity the day holds. Shift toward thankfulness with focus on what’s good and working, and watch the benefits flow.
