Aging Well
Regularly practicing gratitude can yield a number of health benefits.
Understanding Gratitude
Gratitude is the state of being thankful for the good in one’s life and can be a powerful practice for health and wellness. Research shows that expressing gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain, chemicals that contribute to feelings of happiness, and is associated with positive effects in both mental and physical health.
Health Benefits of Gratitude
There are many health benefits of gratitude, which include:
- Relieved stress and anxiety. Gratitude can help lower your heart rate and regulate breathing, which calms the nervous system during times of stress. It also combats anxiety by keeping thoughts focused on the present and its positive aspects.
- Reduced symptoms of depression. A grateful mindset is linked to higher satisfaction with life and promotes optimistic thinking about one’s future, which may reduce symptoms of depression.
- Better sleep. Lower levels of stress and anxiety can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Focusing on grateful thoughts at bedtime can help relax the mind and promote better sleep.
- Improved heart health. According to the American Heart Association, daily practice of gratitude can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
How to Practice Gratitude
To reap the benefits of gratitude, it’s important to make it a regular practice that will, in time, become habit. Here are some ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine:
- Set aside time to write down what you are thankful for in a gratitude journal.
- Redirect negative thoughts by identifying a positive aspect of your situation that you are grateful for.
- When you find yourself feeling grateful for a person in your life, send them a text or write a thank-you note.
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in advertising with the distinction of summa cum laude and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s biannual magazine, The Vindagua. After graduation, Rachel joined CMC Media & Marketing Group as an editor. Today, she serves as managing editor and is responsible for leading the editorial team in the development and completion of content for 17 publications involving health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville™ – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. In addition to writing, editing, and coordinating copy, Rachel oversees networking and reputation management for the company’s publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
