What is Gratitude and why is it so important?

What is gratitude and why is it so important, since there is so much focus on it these days?

Tony Robbins said it best. Quote:

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears”.

Positive psychology research states:

“Gratitude is strongly and consistently associate with greater happiness…”

I'm excited to share with you what I personally have learned about gratitude and how you can start using gratitude into your own life...

I broke it down into a 3 part course for myself:

What is Gratitude?
The Science of Gratitude
The Importance of Gratitude

Part 1. Introduction to Gratitude

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is a positive emotion that arises when we acknowledge the good things in our lives. It can be experienced as a feeling of thankfulness, appreciation, or recognition for something good that has happened to us, or for something we have received...

There are two types of gratitude:

state gratitude, which is a momentary feeling of gratitude

trait gratitude, which is a more stable personality trait of being grateful. It's being able to recognize the good in a situation, no matter how small...

Research has shown that both types of gratitude have positive effects on well-being...

Practising gratitude has been shown to have numerous benefits, including increasing positive emotions, improving relationships, and enhancing overall well-being...

The Science of Gratitude

There has been a growing body of research on gratitude in recent years. Studies have shown that practising gratitude can have positive effects on physical health, mental health, and social relationships...

Gratitude can activate the brain's reward center, releasing dopamine and creating a positive feedback loop that can improve mood and well-being. It has also been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and boost immune function...

Part 2: Why Gratitude is important

The Importance of Gratitude

Gratitude is important because it helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives, even when we face challenges or difficulties. Practising gratitude can increase feelings of happiness, contentment, and satisfaction with life. Gratitude can also improve social relationships by increasing feelings of connection and empathy...

In addition, gratitude has been shown to have physical health benefits. It can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve overall heart health...

The Consequences of Not Practising Gratitude

Failing to practice gratitude can exacerbate – i.e. worsen – the negativity bias in the human brain, leading to poorer mental health outcomes. Complaining and negative thinking can impact our social relationships, creating tension and conflict. It can also lead to a general sense of dissatisfaction with life...

Part 3: How to Implement Gratitude in Your life

Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling involves regularly writing down things you are grateful for, which can help shift your focus towards the positive aspects of your life...

To start a gratitude journal, find a notebook or journal and set aside time each day to write down three things you are grateful for...

I did mine in the morning before starting my day. That way, a positive mindset was set up for the day...

Over time, gratitude journaling can become a habit that helps you cultivate a more positive outlook on life...

Gratitude journaling is an activity I always return to when I find myself spiralling into negativity.

Gratitude Exercises

There are many exercises you can do to cultivate gratitude. One example is the “three good things” exercise, where you write down three good things that happened to you each day and reflect on why they happened…

Another exercise is the gratitude letter, where you write a letter to someone you are grateful for, expressing your gratitude and explaining why you appreciate them…

Whenever I'm stuck in a rut of negative thoughts and feelings, I list things I'm grateful for until there's a deep, heart-felt shift inside me…

Gratitude in Relationships

Expressing gratitude towards loved ones strengthens relationships and increases feelings of connection and empathy...

Try to regularly express your gratitude towards your partner, family members, and friends. You can do this through verbal expressions of thanks, acts of kindness, or small gifts...

Send text messages, messages over social media, put notes in lunch boxes or strategically placed on a computer screen. The possibilities are endless...