Practicing gratitude is much more powerful than many people realize. It’s not only a great way to improve the world around you, but it’s also a great way to improve your own health. Here are a few health benefits of practicing gratitude (for young and old alike).
Develop Stronger Relationships
When you practice gratitude, you tend to see the good in the world and the people around you. Being thankful for the people in your life can help strengthen your relationships. High-quality relationships tend to be built on the positive principles of gratitude.
Improve Memory
It’s natural for older adults to experience frequent or occasional problems with memory. But, surprisingly, gratitude can help improve memory and overall brain health. One great way to boost your memory while simultaneously practicing gratitude is to count at least ten things you’re grateful for each day. Then, try to make each day’s list different from the previous one. You’ll soon realize you have a lot of things for which to be thankful.
Increase Spiritual Meaning
Are you yearning for deep spiritual connection? This is a common theme among seniors who want to find additional meaning in their lives. One of the benefits of practicing gratitude is that it can help deepen your spiritual connection. Gratitude can fill your life with faith, hope and meaning.
Boost Mood
If you feel like you could use a mood boost, Elder Care Alliance recommends thinking of a few things you’re grateful for. You can make a physical list or reflect on a few people and things you’re happy to have in your life. Before long, you’ll notice your mood start to lift.
Research shows that expressing gratitude can overcome the brain’s natural inclination to focus on negative aspects of life. One of the benefits of practicing gratitude is that you can improve your outlook on life.
Decrease Pain
In addition to improving your mental health, being thankful can also help minimize physical pain. Research shows that grateful people tend to treat their bodies better and exercise more. As a result, they are less likely to experience inflammation that can lead to aches and pains.
Improve Social Health
Think about the people you like to spend time with the most. Chances are, they’re overall positive influences in your life. People tend to be drawn to those who make them feel good about themselves and life.
One of the benefits of practicing gratitude is that doing so can improve your social health. Other people will want to be around you more often when you’re positive and thankful.
Build Self-Esteem
Seniors are more likely to feel confident and have high self-esteem when they adopt an attitude of gratitude. While feeling negative and low can lead to a lack of good hygiene and diminished self-esteem, being thankful will do the opposite.
There are so many benefits to practicing gratitude. For example, if you’d like to improve your physical and emotional health, try thinking of several things you’re grateful for daily. Make gratitude an integral part of your life, and focusing on the good instead of the bad will soon become natural.
