5 Ways Gratitude Can Improve Your Life
Gratitude is the act of showing appreciation and thankfulness for something or someone. In this case, usually little things like a beautiful day, or a nice cup of coffee. Another way to look at it is that gratitude means being thankful for what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t have. Here are 5 ways gratitude can improve your life:
It can make you happier
Many studies show that gratitude can make you happier. One study found that being grateful changes your genes, which can help you fight off depression and stress. Moreover, gratitude can help you sleep better, improving your overall health and happiness. What’s more, gratitude can be contagious; the more grateful people you surround yourself with, the happier you will be.
It can help relieve stress and anxiety
Gratitude can change your brain, making you less likely to experience stress and anxiety. Studies show that gratitude can help lower your cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone), which can help you feel calmer and healthier overall. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, practicing gratitude can help change that.
It can improve your relationships
Being grateful for the people in your life can significantly impact your relationships. You’ll inevitably become resentful and bitter if you constantly complain about things you don’t have. Being grateful for the people and things in your life can help you cherish your relationships and foster new ones. When you’re thankful for the people in your life, they’ll likely feel more appreciated, which can strengthen your relationships. On the other hand, if you’re constantly complaining, they’ll likely feel unappreciated, which could damage your relationships.
It can boost your self-esteem and confidence
Being grateful for the things you do have can also help boost your self-esteem and confidence. If you’re constantly dwelling on the things you don’t have, you’ll likely feel unconfident and unhappy with yourself. When you’re grateful for the things you have, you’ll likely feel happier and more confident, which can significantly impact your life.
It can help you be more present
Being grateful for the little things at the moment can help you be more present. You won’t be truly present if you’re constantly dwelling on the past or the future. People often complain about things like bills, work, or even their relationships, but those are things you can’t change right now. Being present means focusing on what you can change at the moment, such as the sky, the birds, or the smell of fresh flowers.
Numerous studies show that gratitude can improve your life in numerous ways. It can make you happier, help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your relationships, boost your self-esteem and confidence, and help you be more present. When you’re grateful for the things in your life, you’ll be less focused on what you don’t have and more on enjoying what you already have.
The author of this article is a therapist from the Sensera app. Sensera is a daily 10-minute self-therapy app. It’ll help you to cope with various mental problems (anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues). Feel better with CBT audio sessions and exercises. Download now to become happier!
