Thanksgiving is around the corner! This means family time, turkey and sharing a few things we are grateful for. It’s a warm and fuzzy tradition many families share during the Holiday, however its benefits can be utilized every day of the year. In addition to helping you concentrate on great things you have going on in your life, an “attitude of gratitude” has multiple proven health benefits. Here are five:
- Feel less pain. According to a 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences, people who practice gratitude daily experience less physical pain than those who do not.
- Be nicer. Grateful people show less aggression towards others and are more likely to behave kindly, even in adverse situations, according to a study conducted at the University of Kentucky.
- Boost your confidence. Multiple studies have shown that saying “thanks” regularly increases your self-esteem and decreases negative social comparisons such as jealousy.
- Make friends. Saying “thank you” to strangers for things like holding the door makes you more approachable. Of course, it also helps strengthen existing relationships.
- Improve sleep. This one just makes sense, but there are also studies supporting the fact. When your self-esteem is improved, your aggression reduced and your relationships are stronger, you can sleep much better at night.
Not sure where to start on your way to an attitude of gratitude? Make a list of ten things in your life that you are currently grateful for. That is an immediate mood booster!
