The Mental and Physical Connection of Gratitude
Gratitude is such a powerful thing. When it comes to understanding gratitude and the numerous psychological and physical effects on us, we’re only at the beginning. Let’s take a look at a few of those to give you an idea of what to anticipate if you start to make being grateful a daily focus.
The Mental Benefits Of Gratitude
Being grateful immediately improves your view on life, which benefits your mental health as a whole. Be prepared to have a big smile on your face after you finish your most recent gratitude meditation. Of course, there are advantages beyond simply being happier. Increased gratitude has been associated with improved self-perception, less anxiety, and even a decline in depressive symptoms. Scientists who have seen increased levels of dopamine and serotonin following meditations on gratefulness are not at all surprised by this.
The Physical Benefits Of Gratitude
The intriguing part begins here. Actual improving one’s emotional state is one thing. Even so, it is exciting to know that your physical body also benefits from releasing these “feel-good” chemicals. Gratitude relieves stress, improves sleep, lowers blood pressure, and more vitality. As a result, you tend to move more, which leads to improving your overall physical health. Being able to have a good sleep decreases appetite, and reduced stress enables you to make wiser food decisions. Perhaps your gratitude exercise inspires you to go for a stroll, increasing your body’s oxygen intake and Vitamin D intake. All of these elements combine to make you a stronger and healthier version of yourself.
For heart health, gratitude is very crucial. Your heart won’t be under as much stress thanks to the lower blood pressure and decreased stress. The additional activity and sleep will strengthen your heart muscle, which also gives this vital organ time to rest and repair overnight. It is a great time to practice gratitude and let go of worry because heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in contemporary culture.
How can you take advantage of gratitude’s rewards for your body and mind? Through experiencing it more! Naturally, it’s simpler said than done. Each morning, as soon as you wake up, make it a practice to think of one thing to be thankful for. It could be a person or a thing. I can guarantee you that it will be a great way to start your day. It sets the tone for the entire day and gives you a wonderful start so you can experience these potent advantages. Test it out!
I love your new gratitude website! Every morning, I post what I am grateful for in my gratitude journal. Through the years, I have seen my gratitude change from material things to spiritual or universal things. Thank you for sharing. Sending lots of love and gratitude. Jaime
Using a journal like that, you can really trace your journey and how it progreses. For me, it is more about writing out what I am grateful for each morning.
Hi Paul, I just finished a “Photo a Day Challenge” using the Gratitude theme throughout the month of June: each and every day we would post a picture that represents something we were grateful of that day. It was a great experience.
If you’re interested here’s a recap:
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2022/06/grateful.html
Looking forward to the July UBC!
Very cool, Tamara! I will check out your recap! Feel free to register for the Gratitude Burst and get a daily email about gratitude!
I love the whole new gratitude site. I do gratitude prayers throughout the day. I look forword to reading nore from you.
I am glad that you like it, Brenda! It is actually not a new site – just one that I have not used in the UBC in many years.
I absolutely agree. Gratitude is truly a powerful thing. It is when I’m aware of what I’m grateful for that I know I can handle anything that happens. For the past year and a half I have started every day with a gratitude statement. The first thing I do is to thank God for this new day and ask him for the courage or strength or energy to make a difference. Then I think about one way to help another person and commit to doing something for myself.
I am truly grateful to you for challenges us in this UBC and providing us with support and encouragement.
Glad you enjoy it, Cheryl! Each day is a gift and we should be grateful to have another trip on this earth as it spins around!
Hi Paul, I’m so excited to read about your gratiude website! For me I always start my day by thinking of something I’m thankful for.
That is a great practice, Martha! Something that I do as well!
Interesting idea! Thanks for the share.
Sure thing, Roy!
So refreshing, Paul. I am also a believer in gratitude and am feeling particularly blessed and thankful to see this side of you. Its been a rocky 2022 and am grateful for the UBC as a part of my medicine back to the better. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
You’re Welcome. You’re Welcome. You’re Welcome. Stay grateful and express your gratitude and the second half of 2022 will be better!
Paul, this is great! Gratitude is part of what I teach, too. I don’t keep a separate Gratitude Journal, but I thank God in my morning prayers and list Wins in my journal at night. Wins are important when you’ve been on chemo for a year. (Laughter emoji)
Thank you for your thoughts, Kebba! I’m glad to hear that gratitude resonates with you and that you find value in it (I know you even talk about it and blog about it as well).
I agree. Gratitude is really powerful.
Spot on!
Great content. Gratitude has so many benefits.
What can I say, Alex! I certainly agree 🙂 Lots of benefits, for sure.