The Healthful Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude has become defined as deeply appreciative attitude for kindnesses or benefits acquired. Several parts of gratitude have been identified. First, a person experiences a warm sense of appreciation toward an individual who performs a generous or desired kind act. Second, appreciation and kindness are expressed toward the person who completed the desired act. Finally, the person to whom appreciation is expressed, sensing the goodwill, is inclined to act positively and/or appreciatively toward the individual expressing gratitude. Gratitude is often interactive and also seems to have the capacity to enhance the sense of well-being and goodwill among individuals and groups throughout an institution. Grateful individuals show higher levels of life satisfaction, optimism, energy and connections with many people.

Growing evidence indicates that the expression of gratitude can improve one’s physical health and functioning. Researchers are finding that behaviors such as gratitude can be reliably connected to positive changes in an individual’s cardiovascular together with immune functioning (McCarty R., M. Atkinson, W. Tiller, G. Rein, and A. D. Watkins). In one recent study, individuals who focused on being grateful rather than on not being angry were found to positively impact a range of important physiological functions such as improved heart, pulse, and respiration rates. It would seem that the practice of gratitude might hold promise for reducing stress and consequent related healthcare charges, which in an organizational setting could bring great dividends. Eventually, people who are generally grateful may tend to live extended lives. In one study, Catholic nuns who expressed gratitude, contentment, and positive emotions in th...

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...sence in our life. Numerous times now we have seen resentment and anger melt away in the presence from sincere gratitude and appreciation. Call a friend or relative, or write a letter to let someone realize what they mean to you, even if they are healthy and not just in crisis. It’s also a wonderful practice to have an entire family express gratitude together consistently; the earlier children start the greater their capacity for appreciation becomes.

The consistent practice of expressing gratitude also reminds us which we do not live alone; we survive only because we will be constantly receiving goods from people, from nature, and from nature. Gratitude helps us to be more aware of the numerous things that we receive from other people, and realize that our lives rely on the perpetual giving of others, and we feel a deeper responsibility to make more of ourselves.