Thank you, life
Gratitude is a theme banded about alot in the world of wellness. It can sound too simplistic and possibly cheesy to some to say ‘‘Practice gratitude and you’ll feel better’’. What does that even mean?
There are studies that have proven the effectiveness of gratitude in improving mood and happiness.
Why would this work? Reflecting on things that you are thankful for allows you to appreciate what you have, and the things we often take for granted, which can help put things into perspective for us. Appreciation for our current home, the food we have, a pet, a loved one, can shift our senses to others and what we have right now, rather than allowing us to sink further into our current 'problem’ or perspective.
Often of course, when we feel at our worst that is also the time when it is hardest to find something to be grateful for.
The key to the power of gratitude is to really feel it. It is not just about listing things that we have… my car, Angela from work, my rice crispies… it is to feel the appreciation for the thing or person. Loss can often cause these feelings to arise and even in deepest grief one can start to recognise what is important in life. This is the sort of gratitude I am talking about, being truly grateful for having this day to do something anew, or to experience the world, sun shining or not. True gratitude that I have this person/being in my life.
Try picking one thing or one person/animal/being of any kind (even a plant or tree) and focusing on that and feeling as much as posisble the appreciation that comes with having that/them in your life.
Alternatively, writing a short reflection of things you can be grateful for that have occurred over the day is also helpful and can cultivate an appreciative perspective, improving mood.
References
Watkins, P. C., McLaughlin, T., and Parker, J. P. (2021). Gratitude and subjective well-being: Cultivating gratitude for a harvest of happiness. (Chapter 88 p. 1737-1759) In: Research Anthology on Rehabilitation Practices and Therapy. Information resources management association.
Fallon, J. R., Root Luna, L. M., Van Tongeren, D. R. (2018). Gratitude predicts hope and happiness: A two-study assessment of traits and states. The Journal of Positive Psychology, p. 271-282.
Watkins, P. C., Woodward, K., Stone, T., and Kolts, R. L. (2003). Gratitude and happiness: Development of a measure of gratitude, and relationships with subjective well-being. Social Behaviour and Personality, 31(5), p.431-451.
