Having an attitude of gratitude is a learned behavior. You’re either taught as a young child, see it modeled growing up, or choose to learn it as an adult. For some, it comes easy and for others, it is a chore.
I love the three points our Youth Minister highlighted last Sunday during his sermon about gratitude.
The blessings you ignore often disappear.
A grateful heart counts blessings, not burdens.
Do not ignore what God has provided for you while you look for what he has promised.
It is general knowledge that the law of attraction says you attract what you think most about. When you focus on appreciation and are thankful you attract more of those things. Healthy begets healthy, happy begets happy. The fact is being grateful is a win-win for both the one expressing it and the one receiving it.
5 Benefits of Strengthening Your Attitude of Gratitude
Builds Relationships Most of us at some point have been told the importance of saying Thank You. It is not only good manners it’s respectful. Think about the people in your life that appreciate you. How do they express their gratitude? How does that make you feel? Do you want to be around them more often? Practice gratitude in your relationships by acknowledging people’s time, talents, and contributions. Express a thank you to a stranger for opening the door, send a special note to a family member or friend that helped you. The key to being grateful is an action that needs to be expressed.
Boosts Emotional Wellness It is hard to be negative when you are thinking about what you are grateful for. One of the fastest ways to improve your mood is to count your blessings. Being grateful reduces a multitude of toxic emotions ranging from envy, resentment, frustration and regret. There have been multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. The research conducted by Robert Emmons Ph.D. confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression. Put gratitude to the test before going into a challenging situation or tough conversation. Identify five things for which you are thankful and proceed from that place of thanksgiving before addressing your situation.
Supports Physical Well-being Research indicates that grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and are more motivated to exercise on a regular basis. During exercise, endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good chemicals, are released naturally boosting one’s mood. In addition to endorphins, exercise also releases adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals work together to make you feel good. Robert Emmons Ph.D. also states, “Clinical trials indicate that the practice of gratitude can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and facilitate more efficient sleep.”
Heals Trauma Choosing to exercise gratefulness has helped me learn life lessons versus only feeling the pain of my trauma. Gratitude protects your heart so your head can follow your feet in a healing direction. A 2006 study published in Behavior Research and Therapy found that Vietnam War Veterans with higher levels of gratitude experienced lower rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A 2003 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that gratitude was a major contributor to resilience following the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Recognizing all you have to be thankful for – even during the worst times – fosters resilience. — Psychology Today.
Enriches Spiritual Life The Bible teaches us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude is a feeling and much of the time is directed by our thoughts. One of the best ways to manage our thoughts is found in Philippians 4:8.
One of my secrets when I need help in the gratitude department I apply 2 drops of Gratitude essential oil to my wrist and temples. Within 15-minutes my mood elevates. To turn your thoughts into actions of gratitude until they become habits, exercise these three habits below.
Daily Habits of Gratitude
Say THANK YOU!
Share a THANKFUL thought with a family member or friend.
Pray with THANKSGIVING.
Wear Gratitude Essential Oil
Now it is your turn. What benefits have your experienced from having a grateful heart or an attitude of gratitude? Comment below.
Having an attitude of gratitude is a learned behavior. You’re either taught as a young child, see it modeled growing up, or choose to learn it as an adult. For some, it comes easy and for others, it is a chore.