Dr. Andrew Weil Talks About Gratitude
Doctor Andrew Weil is talking about gratitude. He was asked, “I recently heard that being grateful is good for you – that it boosts the immune system. This sounds far-fetched to me. Is there anything to it?”
His reply was:
Maybe. Investigators engaged in “happiness research” have made a case for gratitude as a contributor to health and well-being. These studies are an outgrowth of positive psychology research, which focuses on what makes individuals happier, fulfilled, and engaged in life. Gratitude is an example of a positive state of mind that can reduce risk of depression.
~ Doctor Andrew Weil
In terms of measurable health benefits, researchers maintain that gratitude fosters optimism, which has been shown to positively influence the immune system. Optimism and other positive emotions are also associated with lowered production of the stress hormone cortisol and reduced risk of chronic disease.
A study published in February 2003 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life.) found that participants who kept weekly gratitude journals exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the coming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events. The same researchers have reported that while grateful people don’t deny or ignore the negative aspects of life, they tend to report positive emotions, life satisfaction, and vitality as well as greater optimism and lower levels of depression and stress than people who are not grateful.
Cultivating a habit of gratitude isn’t a bad idea, especially as we move into the new year. A weekly gratitude journal could keep you focused on the positive aspects of life instead of its frustrations. Simply pausing daily to list a few things you have to be grateful for can enhance your health and happiness.
We all can find reasons to be grateful: people we’re close to, the beauty and bounty of nature, pets and the companionship they offer and, of course, our health.
Source: Is Gratitude Healthy?
Be Well.
Paul.
The Gratitude Guru
I believe that cultivating a habit of gratitude, such as keeping a journal, can foster positivity, reduce stress, and enhance overall health. I positive outlook and feeling blessed is very important.
I find Dr. Weil’s response a bit interesting. He starts with “maybe” but ends with “…. that can reduce risk of depression.” I get the devil’s in the details but I 100% believe that gratitude & gratitude practices can affect our immune system, from the gut to the brain and everywhere in between. Thanks for the gratitude Paul!
After my last year I needed to start a journal of sorts. But instead of a book, I write something positive each day on a piece of paper and put it in a basket. Just writing positive things down gives me positive feelings and at the end of the year I will go through them and have happy thoughts of the entire year.
Paul, I also believe that happiness and immunity are related. I think Dr. Weil’s measured response was him being careful. Let’s look at the issue the other way around: a fearful person will stress their adrenals and kidneys. That can’t be strengthening. Traditional Chinese medicine gives us some other perspectives as well. Let’s not run on fear, exhaust our adrenals, and then look for studies that prove unhappiness can reduce immunity. Meanwhile, I will keep my eyes out for other helpful studies on this. And I am so grateful for my life and everything about it!
Gratitude can feel challenging when you’re facing tough times, but I’m trying to stay grounded. In moments of stress and pain, focusing on what I’m grateful for, no matter how small, helps me shift my perspective. Even with today’s life curveballs, gratitude is helping me feel more centered and resilient. I’m not ignoring the hard stuff—I can’t—but I’m finding strength in something positive around me.