Boost Your Happiness With One Simple Habit AN ATTITUDE FOR GRATITUDE
Gratitude is a remarkably powerful emotion. When we share our gratitude for others, it makes them feel good and appreciated. Plus, when we tell others we care about them and are grateful for them, we feel good, too!
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The holiday season is often referred to as the season of gratitude. While we should share our gratitude with others throughout the year, the holidays serve as a great reminder to let people know they are in our thoughts. But more that, sharing gratitude and reflecting on what you are thankful for can actually help you live a happier life. A greater understanding of gratitude can be found in the book “59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot” by Richard Wiseman. In “59 Seconds,” Wiseman cites a study that looked at three groups of people who, over a period of time, wrote in journals. The first group wrote about what they were grateful for, the second wrote about what annoyed them, and the third just recounted what happened over the week. The results of the experiment spoke for themselves. The participants who wrote about what they were grateful for were noticeably happier, more optimistic, and even mentally healthier than members of the other groups. They focused on positive emotions, which helped them feel more positive overall. Meanwhile, those who focused on the negative felt worse overall at the end of the study. They were not in a good state of mind. If you want to feel more positive, try this at home. At least once a week (or even once a day), write down a list of 3–5 things you are grateful for in your life. Make it a habit by keeping a journal and pen right next to your bed or your favorite chair. Then, every evening, jot down a few bullet points. What can you include on this list? Write down the name of a person who positively impacted your day, reflect on a joyous event in your life, or note a few things that went well that day. You can even appreciate that simple but delicious cup of coffee you had this morning. List anything that brought a little brightness into your day. Give it a try, and you might be surprised by how much happier — and more grateful — you feel!
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