The Importance of Gratitude

In an increasingly individualistic society, it’s hard to understand why we need to be grateful and what the benefits of gratitude are. On the one hand, we are used to provide for our needs alone (most people feel that money can and should buy almost anything), and on the other hand, if someone helps you, your first thought is to do something in return and be even, instead of feeling and expressing authentic gratitude.

So why is gratitude such an important value if everyday life suggests we can live without it?

Gratitude means, first of all, understanding and valuing the kindness that stands behind a good action directed at you. Feeling of loneliness and alienation disappear when you realize that someone out there really cares about you - gratitude works like a social binder that brings people together.

People who make a habit out of expressing gratitude enjoy a wide range of benefits with a direct impact on their well-being:

Being happy

Researches have suggested that people who are grateful are also happier. Cultivating gratitude brings other positive emotions as well, such as feeling energetic, enthusiastic, empathetic and hopeful. The good thing about relying your happiness on gratitude is avoiding the negative phenomenon called hedonistic adaptation – for instance, if you are happy only because you have money, you’ll need to have more and more money in order to experience the same level of happiness in the future. With gratitude, the level of happiness increases as we make habits like holding a daily gratitude journal.

Improving health

Several studies performed in the last years have shown that people who keep a gratitude journal exercise more, sleep better, and experience fewer physical symptoms. Feeling gratitude instantly induces a relaxation response and tackles the symptoms of depression. Gratitude has extraordinary effects on sleep – people who count their blessings often enjoy improved sleep quality, have increased sleep duration, and need less time to fall asleep. Gratitude has also been linked to a lower risk of developing coronary diseases as it lowers stress levels.

Eliminating negative feelings

It’s hard to achieve results by simply saying “From now on, I will improve my self-esteem”. Negating bad feelings will not make them disappear instantly – you need to replace them with something good, and gratitude is the root of all these positive aspects: optimism, spirituality, altruism, confidence, and empathy. The result is developing a brighter personality.

Boosting your career

Do you know the main reason why most people quit their job? You have probably dealt with it too – not receiving recognition in the workplace. Gratitude makes wonders both for people who express it and for people who receive it. Gratitude strengthens the relationship between mentors and protégés, encourages networking, makes managers more effective, and improves decision making skills. A workplace where gratitude plays an important role is more enjoyable and allows people to advance their careers.

Making your days better

There’s a famous quote saying “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” (Annie Dillard). Gratitude has the power to change your day for the better. Let’s say you are having a bad day because you had an argument with a friend, someone yelled at you, or you were stressed at work. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and think only about the bad things in your life. Your mind frame won’t change unless you decide to do so, and one of the most efficient ways of immeditaley feeling better is thinking of the things you need to be thankful for: being loved by family and friends, having a roof over your head, and simply being alive.

Improving your personal relationships

Every friend, family member or co-worker we come in contact with will make us angry at some point. Instead of reacting in anger and getting mad at them, stop for a moment and think of the reasons why you should be grateful for that person – such as the good things they have done for you. Switching your attitude will enable you to express your discontent without hurting them or being rude.

Learning how to feel and express gratitude is like getting lemons and making delicious lemonade instead of complaining about their sour taste, don’t you think so? In the end, everyone will be happier!


About the author:
By Spirit Room, a Winnipeg spiritual direction service, similar to a Winnipeg psychic or medium (http://www.spiritroom.ca).