Gratitude is MORE than just an attitude.
I’m working on a big project that’s required me to think about the three most important mindsets we can cultivate in life.
The very first one that came to mind – and it came quickly – is gratitude.
The main reason is that the thing most of us want in life is to be happy.
And the most sure-fire scientifically proven way to become happier is actually to become more grateful …
Research shows that it’s not money, or attractiveness, or even the quality of our relationships that’s most closely related to our happiness, but gratitude.
For example, one study showed that 39% of our happiness can be explained by how grateful we are.¹
But it’s not only happiness, more grateful people tend to enjoy:
- Greater body satisfaction and a more positive appearance self-evaluation²
- Greater optimism about themselves, their world, and their future¹,³
- Lower rates of depression, anxiety, phobias, and substance abuse³
- Greater emotional functioning and subjective wellbeing¹,³
- More positive relationships (as rated by themselves and others)³
So, with this laundry list of benefits in mind, you may be asking, how does one become more grateful?
Well, thankfully there are a number of ways, but one of the simplest is just to write a gratitude journal.
I keep one and often share it on my Instagram. Here’s an example:
(I combine mine with some other positive intentions and plans for the day – there are no hard and fast rules on how to do it!).
In my opinion, the BEST thing about gratitude is that it requires so very little of us.
We don’t have to work harder to earn any more money, work our muscles out at the gym for hours on end, or network to grow our social circle
We just need to open our minds to all of the gifts, blessings, and fortunes that are already present in our lives (if we keep our eye out for them!) 🙂
So, my friend, I encourage you to practice some gratitude in a way that is right for you (and please let me know how you go with it!).
And, I’ll finish with my own acknowledgement of gratitude … I’m thankful for you for being a part of my community, as someone who reads the things I like to write about, and – in doing so – makes them infinitely more meaningful.
Yours in gratitude,
Glenn
P.S. If you would like some support with becoming more grateful, as well as more positive, and kinder – as well as all of the usual physical stuff like eating healthier, moving more, and getting better sleep – why not consider joining our new 90-Day Transformation Challenge, which starts on June 2? Members of my e-community are able to access exclusive Early Bird rates until Midnight Monday May 26. The series is going to be absolutely transformational, and we’d love for you to join us! 🙂 🙂 🙂
1. Witvliet, C., Richie, F. J., Root Luna, L. M., & Van Tongeren, D. R. (2018). Gratitude predicts hope and happiness: A two-study assessment of traits and states. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(3), 271–282. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1424924
2. Dunaev, J., Markey, C. H., & Brochu, P. M. (2018). An attitude of gratitude: The effects of body-focused gratitude on weight bias internalization and body image. Body Image, 25, 9–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.01.006
3. Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005
