A Dose of Gratitude – Magical formula to stay Healthy

What guarantees a better health?

A strict health and fitness regime OR

Healthy eating OR

Following a diet plan

What will be your reaction if I say that a simple positive emotion of gratitude or thankfulness can give you a better healthier life?

Yes, a dose of gratitude is a magical formula to stay healthy!

Most of you will be surprised to know this. But it is true! It may appear to be a striking deviation from what we have heard so far about healthy lifestyle, but there is a connection between health and gratitude which cannot be ignored.

When was the last time you said ‘thank you’ to someone?

Benefits of being Grateful

There are multitudes of health benefits that being grateful can give you. So why not make it a daily practice. Let me tell you some of the benefits of being thankful:

• Good for mental health
• Ability to cope up with stress
• Greater immune system
• Gives the feeling of optimism
• Improves well-being
• For students, its coupled with higher grades
• Makes you a better friend – you tend to help people in problems, both physically and emotionally
• If you make a list of things you are grateful of daily before bedtime, it gives you a better sleep.
• Being thankful for even the small things your lover or partner does for you strengthens your relationship.
• It keeps you away from the negative emotions

What are the 3 Levels of Gratitude?

Level 1 is the stage which all of us have experienced in our lives. What we often do is that we pass off this feeling of gratitude as a fleeting moment. Infact we should make ‘the attitude of gratitude’ a constant process. Cultivate attitude and activate its health benefits – the best start for anyone.

Level 2 is somewhat challenging. Many people find it difficult to open up and go and say thank you to someone. They feel that if I express my appreciation, I will be more vulnerable. But this is not the right approach. Expressing gratitude forms an emotional bond – a bond which will make you happy and never let you feel alone.

Move out of your shell!

Level 3 is the most influential level. It can bring about a great change in your future. People who are more grateful have a positive outlook in life, which keeps them stress-free and thus gives mental satisfaction.  They are aware of the positivities of life and tend to focus their attention outside of themselves. According to Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, “gratitude is defined by your attitude towards both the outside world and yourself”.

What are the ways to cultivate gratitude?

Gratitude is the way to be thankful for what you have and not trying to reach out for something in the hope that it will make me happier. Focus on what you have rather than what is lacking. It may appear difficult in the beginning but it becomes stronger with time. Look at these ways to cultivate gratitude in your daily life:

A thank-you note can do wonders

Make yourself happy and cherish the relationship you share. Write a ‘thank you’ note to express the importance and the positive impact of that person in your life.

Don’t forget to write one for yourself at times!

Be grateful mentally

Too busy with your schedules to write? No problem!

Just think about the person you are thankful to and thank him or her mentally. It will give you a lot of mental satisfaction.

Keep a record of your blessings

Take some time out of your hectic schedule and jot down things that made you happy and you are appreciative of.

Be grateful, Be Happy and Stay Healthy!

What are you most grateful for? Share your comments.

Expressing it may enhance your health and make you happy!