Apart from Covid 19, the word ‘gratitude’ too got much attention in the past year. And considering what all it has to offer, gratitude is worth the hype. Gratitude is about being grateful for all the things – big, small, and everything in between. Unlike Covid 19, it’s not a new concept. The American culture of “Thanksgiving,” which dates back to over two centuries, signifies the importance of being grateful for past year blessings, harvest, etc. and thus, cultivating the attitude for gratitude can significantly make your life better in several ways. So, here’s why gratitude matters.
1. Mindset Shift
‘I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man with no feet.’ This line by M.K. Gandhi unfolds the dissatisfaction we all carry in our lives. Abundance doesn’t come from materialistic things; rather it comes from the mindset. And gratitude has a pivotal role in making this abundance mindset that brings more peace and inner joy. Being grateful for things makes you complain less and develops a mindset where you see a glass of water as half-filled and not half empty.
2. Road To Happiness
The sole focus of gratitude is to be thankful and appreciate all the people or things you value. When you recall all the good and happy memories, you automatically eliminate the bad ones and tend to not think about them. That’s how it works. Being grateful not only gives rise to happiness but also multiples it. It’s a secret sauce that paves the way for happiness and that’s why gratitude matters.
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3. Reduces Stress
Just by devoting 5 mins to think of at least five things you were grateful for, the following day can make you sleep better. Gratitude journaling not only accelerates dopamine and serotonin, your happy hormones but significantly brings down stress hormone cortisol as well. A grateful person tends to experience more peace and is more stable in terms of mental well-being.
4. Healthier Body and Mental Well-being
Clinical research shows that counting your blessings and celebrating little joys can be effective in lessening pains, aches, depression, and anxiety. Gratitude acts like a really powerful anti-depressant and painkiller. Practicing it regularly actually rewires your brain by strengthening the neural pathways of contentment. Try to think it this way; someone who is thankful for their body is more likely to care for it, nourish it with good food and exercise, and wouldn’t take their health for granted.
5. Stronger Relations With Others
There was a reason why as kids, we were taught to say thank you more often. These two words act as a stronger reinforcement of appreciation for people and things you value and are thankful for. When you value others for their impact in your life or anything big or small they have to offer you, you make them feel important, which get reciprocated in the form of stronger and healthier relationships.
Recommended reading: 8 Ways to Teach Your Child Gratitude
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6. Healing Powers
The practice of gratitude is deeply associated with the ‘law of attraction’. This means that you tend to attract what you focus on more often. When you leave no room for complaints and welcome optimism, you direct your mind away from all the chaotic experiences that you have been through in the past. This way, you open doors for all the good things and allow yourself to free yourself from several emotional pain. Furthermore, you become more resilient and empathetic.
To Conclude,
Gratitude gives you an option to reflect and find the best in every situation, appreciate what is going on, and trust the process no matter what. It has the power to impact your present and even alter your future, depending on the way you wish to navigate it. Gratitude is gold, and people who practice it know exactly why it matters so much.
Recommended reading: 12 Best Books To Teach Your Child About Gratitude
