Gratitude is MORE than just an attitude.
Last year, I worked on a big project that challenged me to reflect on the three most important mindsets that we can cultivate in life. (More on this later)
The very first one that came to mind – and it came quickly – was gratitude.
The main reason for this is that the thing most of us really want 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.
One study showed that 39% of our happiness can be explained by how grateful we are.¹
But it’s not just 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 levels of depression, anxiety, phobias, and substance abuse³
- Greater emotional functioning and subjective wellbeing¹,³
- More positive relationships (as rated by themselves and others)³
Considering this laundry list of benefits, 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 the gifts, blessings, and fortunes that are already present in our lives (if we keep our eyes out for them!) 🙂
So, my friend, I encourage you to practice some gratitude in a way that is right for you (and let me know how you go with it!).
And please allow me to finish with my own acknowledgement of gratitude … I’m thankful for you, for being a part of my email 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. The big project I mentioned was our inaugural 90-Day Transformation Challenge, which was a resounding success! 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 – you may like to consider joining our new-and-improved 90-Day Transformation Challenge Coaching Program, which starts on Monday September 14! The coaching program contains all of the content in the original 90-Day Challenge – with the addition of weekly live coaching sessions to help you incorporate it into your day-to-day life! I’ll let you know more about this over the coming weeks 🙂
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
