3 minute read
Showing Gratitude
Giving thanks for Thanksgiving
Signi cance of gratitude and ways to express it to create stronger bonds
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As the last fall breeze gets closer and the time of anksgiving rolls around, many start realizing the importance of gratitude in their lives. Healthline, a platform created for the public to share health related experiences, states that during fall, reduced sunlight is one of the causes of decreased levels of serotonin and increased levels of melatonin, which have detrimental e ects on mental health for many. Both serotonin and melatonin are hormones responsible for happiness and sleepiness respectively. Change in levels of both the hormones usually tends to begin a search for things that make people happy. Di erent individuals have various ways of putting what they think gratitude is into words. AP Psychology teacher
Matthew Follman believes that it is important for humans to give and receive recognition. “[Receiving gratitude compliments] a validation in human behavior,” Follman said. Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, a psychologist at University of Pennsylvania, conducted a study that showed increased happiness scores a er writing appreciation letters. e e ects of this experiment lasted for a month. Junior Gracelynn Hyman believes that being grateful and showcasing that to people around is important. Gratitude helps people on both sides: the one expressing it and the one receiving it. “It not only makes you a happier person, but it makes everyone around you feel appreciated,” Hyman said. “When you do say [that you’re thankful] to them, it means more than you would ever even imagine.” Junior Vani Sharma believes that receiving compliments out of appreciation helps boost con dence. “I think gratitude is something that’s really important to show,” Sharma said. “Others might not be having the best days. So when you show gratitude, that really makes a big di erence in their lives.” Hyman believes that showing thankfulness is more e ective than complimenting looks. According to her, it acknowledges the individual’s personality and themselves as a whole, rather than just their appearance and style. “ e compliment ‘I’m thankful for you’ is one of the best compliments you could receive,” Hyman said. “You could get a physical compliment on your appearance or on the way you dress or look, but when you’re truly thankful for someone, that’s a whole other feeling.” Sharma explained about a time when she and her family volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, a non-pro t organization at Riley Hospital. ey served meals for homeless people. “‘ ank you so much’ that just literally made our days, because those words, even so simple, are so impactful,”
Sharma said. According to Harvard’s medical school, acts of recognition not only apply to studies, but also typical dayto-day lives. For instance, managers thanking employees before the end of the shi motivates employees to work harder. Follman agrees that this is accurate to himself. “Getting positive feedback makes me want to be a better person and contribute more,” Follman said. e brain works as an ‘onion,’ as Follman describes it. e oldest parts of our brain are the most internal, and include our ght or ight reactions and emotional response. “[Towards the outer side of the brain] we get to what truly makes us human, which is our upper cortex,” Follman said. “Prefrontal and frontal cortex is where we establish our socialization and [human interactions]. [Acts of appreciation are] going to hit those reward centers. So anytime you feel good about something, you’re gonna have dopamine and serotonin rush.” In research conducted by Positive Psychology, a learning environment for psychologists, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Expressing thankfulness helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships. “When we look at anything related to just human interactions, especially with social psychology and how we get along as a society, [we should be] recognized for what and how we contribute or the value they have added in someone else’s life,” Follman said.
