How Saying “Thank You” More Often Made Me Happier
3 Benefits of gratitude backed by life experience (and science)
“This a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” — Maya Angelou
Complaining is one of the easiest things one can do.
It is so easy to complain that before you know, it becomes a habit. I’m not saying all complaining is bad. But it’s so effortless that we end up doing it way more often than we realize.
Complaining has a lot of adverse effects. Not only does it impact your mood and others’ mood, but it can also negatively impact your health. Complaining can elevate cortisol levels (our stress hormone), leading to various problems, including increased risk of depression, digestive issues, higher blood pressure, and even increased risk of heart disease.
That’s where the power of gratitude can come in. It’s not just something that makes you feel better emotionally, but it also makes us healthier.
Physiological Effects
According to research, showing gratitude is one of the most effective modulators of human physiology.
It has a direct link to positive physiological changes, with far-reaching ramifications for our neurology. Multiple studies show that grateful people are less prone to aches and pain due to better physiological health.
Increase in Overall Positive Emotions
Being thankful is more than just a simple spoken act. It enhances positive behavior among individuals. As such, being thankful or showing gratitude can help boost morale and self-confidence.
A simple, heartfelt “thank you” promotes good sleep, improves self-esteem, and increases mental strength. Moreover, people feel better when appreciated, as it reduces social comparison. In hard times, gratitude fosters positive mental changes, a significant step toward resilience.
Improved Relationships
Being thankful or showing gratitude in an organization helps boost morale, self-confidence, and foster cooperation among work-groups. Appreciated workers have high confidence and give their best, a positive step toward improving organization efficiency and performance.
Acknowledging others or appreciating them leads to new relationships and better opportunities. Saying thank you is not only courteous but forms the basis through which relationships develop. People are more likely to talk or engage people who show appreciation since they feel like an integral part of each other.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” — Robert Brault
There is no time better than now to start on a gratitude journey. The more we can look at life around us and appreciate it, the more we can begin to live it. Being grateful, especially in these uncertain times, can be challenging. But it is not impossible.
Gratitude has helped me relax and enjoy life much more despite the external circumstances. And it can do the same for everyone else.
So now it’s your turn - What are you grateful for?
