10 Traits of Thankful People
The Verdict is In! Gratitude is Beneficial. Gratitude is Good.
Research across cultures is definitive, and supports what we already knew: Gratitude is good. Focusing our minds, hearts, and senses on things for which we are thankful and appreciate improves brain health, mental health and physical health.
What does it mean to be thankful? Living life with thanks, with gratitude, means choosing over and over again to focus attention on what is good, what is kind and what helps. It is focusing on beauty, that which is charming, earnest, generous. It is focusing on small gestures, on detail, and on anything one appreciates. Maintaining daily focus on gratitude is not about turning a blind eye to difficulties. It is about approaching difficulties from the perspective that even in the midst of heavy challenge, there is much to note with gladness.
Gratitude softens and connects us to each other, to beauty in the day-to-day ordinary, as well as to larger good. Studies on the physiological effects of practicing gratitude show that thankful attitudes and focus correlate strongly with improved social ties, deeper relationships, more stable careers, increased motivation, and higher self-reported rates of happiness.
Characteristics of Thankful People
Increased appreciation for what is around us also promotes gratitude for who we are, our accomplishments, what is inside each of us, and what we offer. Each of us is a marvelous combination of insight, experiences, wisdom, talents, strengths, and perspective. The mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of appreciating ourselves and others is documented. Appreciating our humanity, our capabilities, those who’ve helped and taught and loved us, and appreciating what has been offered to us along with what we have to offer increases health, connection and happiness. Traits of people who make gratitude a daily practice include:
- Maintain a fresh outlook: With focus on appreciating everyday moments, grateful people are more likely to maintain an optimistic, fresh outlook on life.
- Accept themselves and others: Grateful people find enjoyment in more diverse environments with more diverse types of people.
- Show increased resilience: Grateful people don’t avoid setbacks or life’s difficulties. Grateful people tend to frame setbacks as part of a larger process or journey that will be worked out.
- Spend time with loved ones: Thankful people actively make time for what and who matters to them.
- Are habitually specific: Thankful people know and note the value of small moments and gestures. They think in terms of specifics and are tuned in to detail.
- Help others appreciate: Studies show that grateful people have deeper friendships, are more helpful to others, and consequently receive more help from others. This cycle promotes appreciation in others.
- Show up and step up: Self-reported grateful people show high rates of volunteering and community involvement.
- Act and interact with humility: Gratitude correlates with an open, appreciative attitude, and steers away from arrogant, pretentious behavior.
- Are encouraging: Findings suggest that grateful people motivate others to engage in positive, healthy activities that may contribute to their success.
- Are healthier: Grateful people exhibit lower stress, lower rates of depression, better coping skills, and report better sleep, fitness, and satisfaction with life.
For these and additional research-backed reasons, it’s clear that focusing our minds, hearts, and senses on things for which we are thankful improves life, health, and connection. Maintaining appreciative regard for ourselves and others, for ordinary days and for small moments correlates with improved relationships, increased motivation and engagement with life, and increased happiness. Shift toward thankfulness and appreciation today — this day — and watch the benefits flow.
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