Why It’s Important To Adopt An Attitude Of Gratitude
3 Benefits To Having A Grateful Heart
There is one way to make sure that you wake up on the right side of the bed every single day — adopt an attitude of gratitude. This means making it a conscious habit to express appreciation for an amazing life.
Does this mean that we aren’t allowed to have bad days? Of course not. Life doesn’t work that way. However, a grateful heart keeps us focused on the bigger picture so that when adversity strikes, we don’t lose ourselves in the process.
Recent studies have concluded that the expression of gratitude can have profound and positive effects on our health, our moods and even the survival of our marriages.
If gratitude is so good for us, then why do so few people practice it? Many people would say that life gets in the way, so we end up getting stuck in a cycle where we become a pro at not feeling good.
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There is a lot of negativity in the world. Does that mean that we also have to fall into that trap? Absolutely not. There is always something to be thankful for. If you focus on the good, that is exactly what the Universe is going to provide you with.
In the words of Rhonda Byrne, “Gratitude will shift you to a higher frequency, and you will attract much better things.”
Let’s explore 3 benefits of adopting an attitude of gratitude.
1. Increases Our Self-Esteem
What you think, you become. If you constantly focus on negative things, that is how you are going to feel — anxious, depressed and frustrated. Thinking negative thoughts and feeling good about yourself don’t go together.
Being grateful for what you already have, instead of dwelling on what you don’t have, helps you focus on the positive, thereby lightening your mood and improving your overall outlook on life.
We tend to focus on showing love to others, but what about us? Don’t we matter? Self-love is a form of gratitude. When we turn our attention inward and are grateful for who we are and how far we’ve come, we experience the truest form of happiness.
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” — Amy Collette
2. Makes Us Healthier
People forget how closely connected the mind and body are. When we have a negative attitude towards life, it can affect us on a physical level.
Stress can make us sick. This is one of the reasons that burnout is so prevalent in today’s world. We are encouraged to constantly do, instead of just be.
An attitude of gratitude improves our physiological functioning. Research shows just that — those who engage in gratitude practices have been shown to feel less pain, go to the doctor less often, have lower blood pressure, and be less likely to develop a mental disorder.
When you are grateful and appreciative of everything around you, you feel calmer and connected with yourself. In this place, there is no room for anxiety, worry, or fear. The body and the mind are at ease, and that is a beautiful state to be in.
3. Helps Us Be More Resilient
Throughout your life, you will experience setbacks and adversity. That is a guarantee. However, these are usually the points at which we realize how strong we really are.
“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” -T.S. Eliot
The people who are able to effectively bounce back from difficult times are the ones who have developed an attitude of gratitude. They are able to find a silver lining amidst the darkness.
Every time life knocks you down, use challenges as opportunities to learn something about yourself and the world. Always remember that there are no failures in life, only lessons.
Having this mindset is what will allow you to develop unshakeable resilience in the face of adversity.
There is always something to be grateful for, even when life isn’t going our way.
Sometimes we forget the value of slowing down and appreciating the present moment. In many ways, it’s the whole point of life.
Melody Beattie said it best — “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
What are you grateful for? Give thanks for whatever that is every single day. Take the time to stop and smell the roses. An attitude of gratitude has the power to change your entire life.
Thank you for reading!
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