When we go through hard times, it can be painful to hear, “just be positive,” but that isn’t what gratitude is. Being a positive and thankful person doesn’t mean that you’ll be joyous without fail all of the time.
We all experience a wide range of feelings as human beings, and all of those feelings are valid emotions that are important to acknowledge and express. In life, we’re not always dealt cards that are fair or just. Being grateful doesn’t mean ignoring poor treatment or putting up with bad situations; it’s about being thankful for, and observant of, the good things that do exist in our lives.
Whether you’re grateful for the way that the fresh air feels outside when you take a walk, the people in your life, a personality trait or skill of your own, or something else, we all have an abundance of things to point to and show gratitude for. Affirming the positive elements in your world helps you to see even more positivity in your life, and believe it or not, gratitude also comes with an array of health benefits.
Physical health benefits of gratitude include healthier sleeping patterns, a potential decrease in body aches, improved cardiovascular health, and even a stronger ability to fight disease.
When it comes to our mental state, gratitude helps us by improving our mood, bettering our relationships, increasing our levels of self-esteem, and making us feel happier and more positive overall. This isn’t just speculation or perception; a number of studies have proven the health benefits of gratitude.
There’s no such thing as being too thankful. If you want to reap the benefits of gratitude, make a conscious effort to practice it in your daily life. it can be as simple as saying, “I’m thankful for this meal,” “I’m thankful that it’s sunny outside today,” or “I’m thankful for a happy memory that I have; that experience really enhanced my life.” Start by thinking of one little thing that you can be thankful for. Remember, gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring what isn’t working in your life; it’s about thinking about what you do have, and that works no matter how much or how little you have.
