Our days can be long. Work stuff, home stuff, whiny children, dirty dishes, grocery lists, repair lists, oil changes, doctor’s appointments; they’re all a circle of duties that make up a lot of our time. It’s difficult to see the good sometimes, when all we see is the work. But that’s exactly what gratitude is; a refocusing on what is going right, what is working, and what small things have helped us along our way each day. Gratitude isn’t looking through rose-colored glasses, it’s a discipline. Feeling grateful for what we already have causes a chain reaction in our lives and in our bodies, physically and emotionally. And it doesn’t even take a lot of effort.

Happiness is the obvious benefit that stands out when practicing gratitude. By reminding yourself of the good things in your life your mood is lifted, but it turns out there are other pretty amazing emotional benefits as well. Resilience, said CNN, goes hand in hand with gratitude. For those suffering from post-traumatic stress, being grateful each day made them better at coping with their traumas. This has been a strategy for Vietnam War Veterans as well as those coping with the terrorist attacks of 9/11, said CNN. They also found that patience and self-control were benefits of practicing gratitude. Couples who continually choose to see the good stay together longer.

Gratitude Helps Us with our Physical Health, Too

It doesn’t end there. Emotional strength from practicing gratitude keeps your mind equipped, but now, studies have shown that it also helps your body. Those who practice gratitude have stronger immune systems and experience less pain, according to CNN. Grateful people will be more on top of their health and enjoy physical activities more. Something even sweeter is that research showed people who think about things they are grateful for before bed fell asleep faster and got a better night’s sleep.

Better health, happiness, and a stronger sense of self are a few steps away. Scientists say grab a journal and jot your gratitude down. Buy a gratitude journal or keep a list in an everyday notebook. The point is that you are paying attention to what you are thankful for each day, reported Country Living.

Another way to practice gratitude, said Country Living, is to take a walk outside and notice all the small things that make you appreciative. It could be the weather, seeing children play in their yards, petting a dog, watching the leaves fall, or just breathing in the fresh air. It serves as a moment of mindfulness.

A Thank You Card Goes a Long Way

Grateful thinking is the foundation of practicing gratitude, but gratefully acting changes your mood as well, says NWEA, who challenges professionals to express their gratitude by emailing or writing thank you cards. Not necessarily big ones, like thanking an employer for granting you a job (although that’s great) but more like thanking your barista for making your coffee extra well yesterday morning. A small thank you can go a long way and make the person receiving it feel good and the person giving it, too, said NWEA. Gratitude is a two-way street.

Our days can be long. They can also be full. That first cup of coffee in the morning, a new shampoo, lunch with a friend, a hug from your child, a brief conversation with a partner, a trunk loaded with groceries can turn your day around if you just notice them. Counting your blessings isn’t just a sweet platitude anymore, it’s a scientifically documented fact that you can change your life by being more grateful.

Please stay on top of our events calendar for new classes that can help you cultivate your gratitude! Learn more about our community and offerings here at The Blissful Heart Wellness Center in Bend, Oregon.

On the Benefits of Gratitude and How to Practice It

Gratitude Helps Us with our Physical Health, Too

A Thank You Card Goes a Long Way