The Effects of Gratitude
Stress can add up over one’s lifetime. Years of accumulated stress can lead to depression, anxiety attacks, and a lowered immune system which can then lead to other health complications. Pausing your busy schedule to express gratitude can be a simple tool to help lower your daily stress, so you don’t have continuous stress built up. Gratitude is the conscious decision of feeling grateful and appreciative. Practicing gratitude has been known to increase one’s mood, outlook, and physical and mental health. Expressing gratitude has also shown to decrease depression and increase one’s motivation. When you are trying to be thankful, it is proven that you will experience fewer physical aches and pains. You will also feel more satisfied, optimistic, and confident which can lead to an improvement in one’s overall mood. Practicing gratitude before you go to bed can even improve your quality of sleep.