Optimism enables us to surmount obstacles. Research also shows that it helps people stay strong when things get tough.

A simple way to practice thankfulness is to keep a jar in which you can store the little slips of paper you write down each day. Another option is to write a letter of gratitude and mail it to a loved one once a week.

Relieves Stress

Anxiety and depression are symptoms of the stress hormone cortisol, which decreases gratitude. One study found that those whose cortisol levels were consistently lower were those who routinely engaged in acts of gratitude had consistently lower cortisol levels.

Negative feelings like jealousy, bitterness, and self-criticism are common companions in difficult situations; however, by training yourself to be thankful, you can avoid them. By encouraging positive emotions, practicing gratitude can also aid in overcoming problems and maintaining a regular sleep routine.

Researchers have shown a correlation between trait appreciation and positive emotions like joy, contentment, and optimism. People who show gratitude more frequently not only have healthier relationships, but they also have less anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

Instead of keeping your expressions of thankfulness for holidays or other special occasions, try doing it every day. Making gratitude a habit may improve your emotional health in no time at all. As you gain experience, it will become second nature. To start the day off well, try writing down three things you’re grateful for.

Strengthens Self-Assurance

Possessing an attitude of gratitude can be as simple as pausing to count your blessings. In addition to improving your self-esteem and protecting you from depression, it may teach you how to replace negative thoughts and feelings with positive ones.

Participants in one study rated their day-to-day expectations, highlights and lowlights, and feelings of thankfulness toward a close friend or relative on a daily report. We also inquired about their frequency of exercise, their previous night’s sleep, and their level of stress.

Subjective well-being was shown to be higher in the group that was encouraged to write about their blessings, as compared to the control group that was taught to simply list their difficulties. Those who took the time to reflect on their blessings rather than their problems reported higher levels of happiness, more physical activity, and improved self-esteem.

It enhances your relationships.

Gratitude has many positive effects on your relationships. One strategy to alleviate tension is to focus on the positive qualities of your partner. By shifting your focus from your partner’s negative acts to the positive ways they are helping you, you may be able to change your negative outlook on the situation into a more productive one.

Similarly, studies have demonstrated that expressing appreciation can inspire the recipient to do the same. In one study, researchers asked subjects to write a letter of gratitude to someone who had helped them. So, it seems that expressing gratitude could serve as a social glue to maintain relationships (Algoe & Stanton, 2012).

When you dwell on the good things in your life, practicing gratitude becomes easy. Try keeping a gratitude diary and listing all the things you’re thankful for, such as your loved ones, your health, and your home. Another option is to listen to a guided audio meditation, like Thankfulness in Difficult Times by HelpGuide, to incorporate mindfulness and gratitude into your everyday life.

Improves health

Gratitude training has been associated with improvements in immunity, happiness, and sleep quality, among other positive outcomes. For further information, visit the Harvard Medical School reference. It can also help with low-grade inflammation control, which is associated with diabetes, heart disease, and other disorders.

It can be helpful to make it a daily habit to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness, such as writing down two or three things for which you are thankful. If keeping a gratitude journal is too much to bear, Maidenberg suggests making it a part of your nightly routine before bed or starting a new tradition with your family by discussing your blessings every night at dinner.

She claims that helping other people is a great way to boost your own gratitude levels.