How to Tap into the Power of Gratitude
A friend tells the story about a minor fender bender that happened the day his father died. The whole family had gathered at his parents’ house, having been told by the hospice nurse that this would likely be the day their grandfather, father, and husband would breathe his last.
The family had traveled from all directions and there were cars cramming the driveway and lining the street in front of the house. In the grief and confusion, our friend’s wife backed their SUV into another car, causing minor damage. Our friend said that in light of what had happened that day, he found he really didn’t care about a broken tail light. He was just thankful no one had been hurt.
In fact, on that difficult day, he realized he had so many things to be thankful for. Gratitude had completely changed his perspective.
There’s immense power in being thankful. According to Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, co-director at Harvard’s school of public health, gratitude has been one of the most widely studied contributors to well-being.1 Research has found that it’s associated with multiple positive health effects, including greater emotional and social well-being, better sleep quality, lower depression risks, and favorable markers of cardiovascular health.
A study published last year found that older people who practiced gratitude had a 9% lower mortality risk from the most common causes of death. While the study couldn’t determine exactly why gratitude can lead to a longer life, VanderWeele believes that several factors contribute.
“We know that gratitude makes people feel happier,” he says. “That in itself has a small effect on mortality risk.”
He adds that practicing gratitude may make someone more motivated to take care of their health. It may also help with relationships and social support, which have also been shown to be beneficial.
While medical science may not fully understand the mechanism behind gratitude’s health benefits, we do know that it’s a simple practice anybody can do. Even if you’re if struggling to feel thankful.
To practice gratitude, Maureen Salamon, executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch, recommends asking yourself the following questions:
What happened today that was good?
What am I taking for granted that I can be thankful for?
What am I most looking forward to this week, month, and year?
With regular practice, you can harness the power of gratitude to change your entire perspective on life.
We hope that this Thanksgiving, as you gather with family and friends, you are able to take time to count your blessings, practicing gratitude for all the good things in your life.
