November kicks off the holiday season with high expectations
for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is
tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Research (and common sense)
suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the
spirits, and it’s built right into the holiday — expressing gratitude.
According to research
reported by Robert A. Emmons and Anjali Mishra, there are several
scientifically supported ways gratitude helps us flourish. Here are four I
found especially compelling:
1. Gratitude
reduces our stress. Thankfulness redirects our attention from our difficulties
to the benefits we enjoy. It’s like creating a stockpile of good thoughts for
when times are tough. It also helps us reframe our losses and stay connected
emotionally to friends and family.
2. Gratitude
inoculates us from negative emotions. When we focus on what we don’t have or
how our decisions could have turned out better, we leave room for resentment,
envy, and regret to build. Gratitude can keep these feelings at bay.
3. Gratitude
sustains our relationships. Let me just ask, Do you like hanging out with
people that gripe and complain? Me neither. It’s gratitude that draws people
together, builds trust, and strengthens ties. That’s true in the workplace,
among friends, in families, and between husbands and wives.
4. Gratitude
improves our health. Grateful people visit their doctors less often and live
longer than others. The research shows that thankfulness helps us sleep better,
control our blood pressure, and generally reduce physical complaints.
We all have the ability and opportunity to cultivate
gratitude. Given these four ways gratitude can benefit us, I’d say we have some
very good reasons to return thanks more than once a year. Simply take a few
moments to focus on all that you have – rather than complain about all the
things you think you deserve. Cultivating gratitude makes each day worth living
and might even give us more days.