The science of gratitude proves to have significant effects on our physical and mental health according to studies made over the past decade. Neuroscientist Glenn Fox claims that grateful people tend to recover from trauma, grief and injury at a faster rate. The fMRI scans performed on those in a trial study showed that after three months the body experienced lower stress levels, reduced pain, improved immunity, blood pressure and heart function. A reduction in depression and anxiety and improved resilience was also observed in participants.
The fMRI scans were evidence that after writing gratitude letters over a period of time the participants showed stronger activation in the prefrontal cortex when they experienced gratitude, changes that had lasting effects. By the end of the trial those who wrote about gratitude proved to be more optimistic and generally felt better about their lives.
Researchers noted that the main ingredient in these letters were not the amount of positive words but the lack of negative ones. Acknowledging the goodness helps people connect to something larger than themselves, whether it be people, nature, or a higher power. Gratitude helps to redirect ones point of focus on the good, the effect being of a glass half full than half empty.
A daily practice of gratitude is a sure way to build positive momentum. Writing a gratitude diary may seem a useless idea to many but what if it improved your mood and helped to attract more positive experiences in your life? I write in my gratitude diary every day and note the differences, especially in times of adversity. Repeated negative thoughts about the past lead to depression. Repeated negative thoughts about the future lead to anxiety. The opposite is true of positive thoughts. Not only do I write the things I’m grateful for, I write the things I’m grateful for that I haven’t received yet. This amplifies the whole gratitude concept.
So here is the challenge….
Grab a notebook (make it your gratitude journal), write down five things you are grateful for every day, it may be a delicious meal or a new purchase. Directly under that write down five things you are grateful or haven’t received yet….then watch your future desires merge into the present.
If you would like to learn how to start to feel better and empower yourself try the free 7 Day MindPower Bootcamp.
