The Astonishing Power of Gratitude

The Astonishing Power of Gratitude

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. Brene Brown ​

It’s a fact – Keeping a Gratitude journal makes you happier.
Practising gratitude for 5 minutes a day has been proven to increase your long-term happiness and well-being by more than 10%, - which is about the same impact as doubling your income. Assuming that most people are unlikely to double their income over the next 6 months, I would most definitely recommend practising gratitude as alternative way of bringing more happiness into your life.  It also just happens to be the easiest and fastest way to feel more positive and optimistic. 

There are a couple of very good reasons for this…
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Firstly, you are setting your RAS (reticular activating system) to notice the good things in your life, so this clever little filter in your brain will let more “good things” through for you to notice and be grateful for. 

And secondly, the more you focus on what’s great in your life, with passion and emotion, the higher your vibrations are. The higher your vibrations are – the more amazing synchronicities will unfold and fantastic manifestations will appear.

Some of you may be thinking that this all sound a little bit too good to be true. If that’s you, I challenge you to practice gratitude for the next month and just watch what happens in your life. What have you got to lose? Nothing. But on the other hand,  you could have an tremendous amount to gain. In fact, it could be life changing for you.   

There have been hundreds of studies showing the fabulous benefits of gratitude. Just in case you are not convinced, here are another 10 marvellous reasons to give thanks for what’s is good in your life. ​

1. You Live Longer 
Being grateful leads you to become more optimistic. And optimism has been shown to increase our longevity according to the University of Kentucky. 

2. Improves your Career  
Gratitude makes you a more effective employee. It makes networking easier, increases your decision-making capabilities, increases your productivity, and helps you attract mentors. As a result, gratitude helps you achieve your career goals, as well as making your workplace a more friendly and enjoyable place to be.

3. Increases your Likability 
Manchester University found that gratitude generates social capital. Studies showed that people who were 10% more grateful than average had 17.5% more social capital. Gratitude helps you to make friends and deepens existing friendships and relationships.  

4. Improves Your Sleep
According to a study conducted by the University of California, your sleep quality improves by 25% and your get 8% more sleep. 

5. Reduces Depression
Keeping a gratitude journal reduces depression by 30%+ for as long as the practice continues. (2005 Positive Psychology progress)

6.You will Exercise More 
Practising gratitude results in up to 19% increase in time spent exercise

7. Gives you Pain Relief
 10% of those studied also reported a 10% reduction in physical pain. 

8. Helps You Bounce Back Quicker 
Those that have more gratitude have a more pro-active coping style, are more likely to have and seek out social support in times of need, are less likely to develop PTSD, and are more likely to grow in times of stress

9.Helps you relax.
Gratitude and positive emotion in general are among the strongest relaxants known

10. You’ll feel good
According to gratitude researcher Robert Emmons, gratitude is just happiness that we recognize after-the fact to have been caused by the kindness of others.  Gratitude doesn’t just make us happier, it is happiness in and of itself!

Hopefully I have persuaded you to at least try practising gratitude as a way of being happier? 

Next time, my gratitude list! 
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