The Literal Health Benefits of Gratitude

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated, "Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable....

"If we only look around us, there are a thousand reasons for us not to be happy, and it is simplicity itself to blame our unhappiness on the things we lack in life. It doesn't take any talent at all to find them. The problem is, the more we focus on the things we don’t have, the more unhappy and more resentful we become" (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily," Ensign, September 2001, 6).

We have learned our whole lives that we will be blessed when we express gratitude. Did you know, however, that there are literal health benefits to this habit?

Research on gratitude has shown that those who express more thanks or recognize their blessings:

• Have an increased determination
• Have an increased attention span
• Have more enthusiasm
• Have more energy
• Are more optimistic
• Are more happy (and have more positive emotions in general)
• Build stronger relationships
• Have better exercise patterns
• Have less physical ailments
• Sleep better
• Have less anxiety
• Have less depression
• Deal with adversity better

Kids who express gratitude tend to:

• Be less materialistic
• Get better grades
• Set higher goals
• Complain of fewer stomach and head aches
• Feel more satisfied with their friends, family, and school

It is also interesting to note that when we consistently look for things to be grateful for, our brain naturally starts looking for more things to be grateful for. We see blessings more often in our lives.
 
Sound familiar?
 
So, why does gratitude have such a positive effect on our overall wellness?
 
Gratitude helps people look outside themselves. They focus more on what they have than what they lack, they recognize the good that comes from other people, nature, or God, and are able to “connect to something larger than themselves as individuals.” (Or, as President Monson would say, “… to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.”)
 
Here are six ways you can cultivate gratitude every day:

1. Write a thank-you note.
2. Thank someone mentally.
3. Keep a gratitude journal.
4. Count your blessings – be specific.
5. Pray.
6. Meditate.

Sources:
Beck, Melinda. "Thank You. No, Thank You." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 23 Nov. 2010. Web. 21 May 2013. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704243904575630541486290052.html>.

"In Praise of Gratitude." Harvard Health Publications. Harvard University, Nov. 2011. Web. 21 May 2013. <http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2011/November/in-praise-of-gratitude>.

Korb, Alex. "The Grateful Brain." Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, LLC., 20 Nov. 2012. Web. 21 May 2013. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201211/the-grateful-brain>.