With Thanksgiving this week, we have a natural day to focus on what we are grateful for. But what if we took gratitude and learned to express it each day? Could it help us live a healthier life? Turns out research says just that.
Regularly expressing gratitude has been shown to:
- Improve your mental health by decreasing the symptoms of depression and lowering anxiety by promoting a sense of calm.
- Decrease stress and cortisol in the body.
- Improve your sleep.
- Support heart health by lowering diastolic blood pressure.
For those of us who exercise at a CrossFit gym, these are also going to lead to increased performance in the gym, recovery, and improved mindset during workouts.
Four ways to build a gratitude practice
Start a Gratitude Journal. Each day, take just a minute or two to write down three things you are grateful for. Three bullet points are all that is needed.
Prayer of Examen. Spend a few minutes reflecting on the day, looking back over things you are grateful for, places where you fell short, and thinking through the next day.
Redirect Your Thoughts. When you feel frustrated or find yourself experiencing negative self-talk: step back, take a breath, and shift your focus to a positive aspect of the situation.
Express Your Gratitude. Write a thank you note to someone, perform an act of kindness, tell someone why you’re grateful for them.
In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to overlook the profound impact of gratitude. By embracing a mindset of gratitude, we can unlock benefits that extend into all areas of life and health.