What do you do first every time you feel down? Do you binge-watch your favourite movie, try retail therapy or order your favourite food? But there is always a possibility for something better. If you rise from this temporary emotional state and begin practising gratitude, you can feel an instant shift in energy.
If you are still thinking about how that shift in energy happens and want to understand the meaning of gratitude and its importance, continue reading this blog!
Meaning of Gratitude
The meaning of gratitude at its core is an emotion that is similar to appreciation. It is more than saying thank you and can change perspective of the one practising it.
Did you know gratitude is a trait and a state? Yes, it is true!
If you experience gratitude for something at a moment in time or for someone, it's a state. If you experience gratitude for a long time, it becomes your positive trait.
If you want to practise gratitude, there are two stages to it:
- Acknowledge the good things in your life on days when things feel a little off
- Recognise your connection to humanity and acknowledge the role of others in your life
Importance of Gratitude
Practising gratitude regularly has both long-term and short-term benefits. Grateful people have more brain activity, especially in areas associated with decision-making and learning.
Let us also understand the importance of gratitude. Here are three reasons it is important to have gratitude in life!
Gratitude Overpowers Negative Emotions
Feeling grateful boosts emotions like compassion and joy in your life. It encourages you to connect with good things in your life and look for them too. It will help you switch your attention from negative emotions like envy and resentment. If you begin practising gratitude regularly, you can feel an increase in happiness and a reduction in any depressive symptoms.
Gratitude Improves Your Health
While practising gratitude is meant to boost your mental well-being, it also has health benefits. Did you know practising gratitude is linked to having healthy behaviours like working out? It is proven by researchers that the one who practises gratitude has:
- Robust immune system
- Fewer pains and aches
- Lesser problems linked to blood pressure
- More restoring sleep
Gratitude Helps You Build Stronger Communities & Relationships
When you practise gratitude regularly, you increase your capacity to forgive those around you. You develop compassion for everyone else and are likely to help others. It can make you feel fulfilled and satisfied at your workplace, potentially reducing burnout. It increases your sense of self-worth and confidence too.
Gratitude Leads To Positive Actions Always
Having a grateful attitude lets you spread joy and encouragement that is generated due to you being grateful towards someone. Gratitude plays a crucial role in motivating individuals which leads to self-improvement. It affects you in two positive ways:
- You tend to involve yourself in practises that improve your well-being
- You become more thoughtful and kinder
Let’s Wrap Up!
There may be days when you have everything but you still feel down. Gratitude is something you can always lean on during such days. Hence, it is an emotion worth cultivating. If you can translate it into a trait rather than a state, it will bring positive changes in you. Moreover, you never know your one act of gratitude can make someone’s day.
If you want to practise gratitude effectively, click the link to check out the gratitude log curated by us!