The health benefits of gratitude

As we celebrate National Veterans & Military Family Month, let’s practice & express thankfulness

November is commonly associated with Thanksgiving and gratefulness, a time in which we acknowledge positive aspects of our lives.

This process helps us connect with something larger than ourselves, decreases vulnerability to stress and promotes resiliency. Positive psychology research correlates gratitude with greater personal happiness. How can this be?

Gratitude is a way of appreciating and focusing on the present aspect of our lives rather than looking into the future for something new, hoping that it will bring happiness.

A study in 2002 on gratitude — “Dimensions and Perspectives of Gratitude,” conducted by Robert A. Emmons and his colleagues — found that regularly grateful people seem to have more positive neurological traits overall. They are “more empathetic, forgiving, helpful and supportive” than those who don’t engage in gratitude, and they also “tend to experience positive emotions more often.”

Practicing gratitude is a way to appreciate the world around us in the moment. The University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center highlights ways mental health improves by practicing gratitude. Here are some findings:

• The brain floods with “reward” chemicals. The brain’s response to gratitude is to activate a reward center, one specifically targeted at boosting bonds with other people.

• Anxiety and depression symptoms are reduced. Gratitude challenges negative thought patterns, which can be a core component of depression and anxiety in individuals.

• Hypothalamus function improves. The hypothalamus regulates multiple body functions, including hunger, sleep, body temperature and metabolism; gratitude motivates it to excel.

• Resistance to stress increases. Gratitude helps individuals become more resilient and less vulnerable to continued stress throughout their lifespan.

To learn more about this topic, contact the Employee Assistance Program team at 253-732-2214.