Taking on the Holidays: science of gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving! You will likely, at some point over the next few days, be presented with an opportunity to list something that you’re grateful for, be challenged to identify something that you’re thankful for or express to the persons whom you care about the impact they have on your world. While this is a sentimental practice that we associate with holiday seasons, the actual impact of gratitude practices extends far beyond a single day of “giving thanks“. Implementing a consistent gratitude practice may just be a part of your daily routine for improving your mental health and wellness, reducing anxiety, increasing depression management, stabilizing mood, and even increasing overall life satisfaction. Who wouldn’t want that?
Today, we will take a few moments to unpack the research on gratitude and how year-long gratitude practices may be beneficial for you in your goals to increase overall wellness.

A researcher by the name of Glenn Fox is one of the leading experts and gratitude practices. In an article published by PBS, the researcher sites the dynamic way that gratitude practices have a direct correlation with reducing stress levels and increasing overall health. Fox further explains the more specific link between gratitude practices and grief recovery and his work. Those who practiced gratitude during seasons of grief had improved grieving processes compared to those who did not participate in the practices. This further emphasizes the mental and emotional benefits of gratitude practices.

The University of Southern California published research on gratitude practices and noted that individuals practicing gratitude on a regular basis reported increased relational strength. The researchers identify that decreased anger responses and greater ability to be present with other individuals gave those who practice gratitude the opportunity to connect on a deeper level with those around them and attract people to themselves.

Harvard University published an article citing research that followed individuals who participated in gratitude practices and looked at the health implications of individuals practicing gratitude practices versus those who did not. This article sites that individuals who practice gratitude reported overall wellness and visited the doctor less frequently than those who do not practice gratitude daily. How amazing is that?  Gratitude practices can actually influence the frequency with which someone experiences physical ailments and seeks medical attention. While the actual causation of this effect was not directly known, it certainly speaks to the power with which a positive mindset impacts not only mental health but also physical wellness. 

Finally, a longitudinal study published in 2019 reports that gratitude practices are highly correlated with the overall life satisfaction of individuals. This research further validates the long-term effects of gratitude practice is on the life satisfaction of individuals who participate in these types of practices.

So as you take on this holiday season and consider what you are thankful for at the Thanksgiving table, see if you can think of ways that you may be able to ask that question throughout the year. Are you curious what types of benefits you may be able to experience by implementing the simple act of gratitude into your daily routine?

So gratitude, a word associated with a single-day holiday, that just may have a long impact if we choose to practice it.