Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can provide significant physical and mental health benefits. Research has shown that gratitude reduces stress levels and improves immune function. However, our brains are wired to focus on potential threats, so it is easy to dwell on negatives rather than appreciate positives. Making gratitude a daily habit, such as keeping a gratitude list or writing gratitude letters, can counteract this tendency and boost overall well-being and performance.

1. Health Benefits of
Gratitude
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2. How wonderful it is to have
one day a year dedicated to
gratitude and thankfulness!
Many of us are well aware of the spiritual
benefits of cultivating gratitude in our
lives, but it turns out that these benefits
can even extend to physical health!

3. Gratitude Reduces Stress

4. • It is no secret that stress has a
negative impact on health, but research
is finding that an “attitude of gratitude”
can be a successful antidote to
external stressors.
• Cultivating an attitude of thankfulness
has also been linked to better immune
function, better ability to relax, and
even decreased rates of disease.

5. The Paradox of Gratitude

6. • It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking “if only I had
___ I’d be happy,” or “If only I didn’t have to deal
with ___ I’d be happy,” but this is a vicious cycle…
• Gratitude and happiness are the first step, not the
end result.
• Making the choice to be happy and have gratitude is
not only healthy, but it can improve our performance
and ability as well.

7. Why is Negativity so easy?

8. • It sounds so simple to just be grateful, but it turns out that there are biological
reasons this process doesn’t come so easily.
• Sure, if you are reading this on a computer, your living conditions are better than
those in a large majority of the world. You probably got to eat today, and you
probably have adequate clothing. We probably have a social support system, etc.

9. • Yet, it is easy to dwell on the financial
problems or the one thing we wish we
could fix about our bodies.
• This makes sense from a biological
standpoint, but makes gratitude
difficult.
• We are wired to pay attention to pay
attention to things that could be
potentially negative or harmful as a
survival instinct.
• But in a world of constant input from
the internet and social media, this
instinct can backfire.

10. Making Gratitude a Habit

11. Thankfully, cultivating
a grateful attitude is
possible, and it can be one
of the easiest things you
do for your health!

12. A Daily List
• Daily, I make a list of a few things that I am especially grateful for that particular day.
• Whether little things like my garden or the dishwasher to big things like my children
and wonderful husband, I’ve found that this does help to keep the focus on the many blessings
in my life.

13. Gratitude Letters
• Once in a while, I try to write a letters to friends and family members thanking them for their
influence in my life and detailing the reasons I am grateful for them.

14. Acts of Kindness
• Doing a small, un-noticed,
good deed each day can help
boost the natural tendency to
be grateful and look for the
good in any situation.

15. What are you thankful for today?
Here is my list:
1. My family
2.My friends
3.A good night’s sleep
4.Access to healthy food
5.You!

16. For more about Gratitude and other
ways to reduce stress, Click here.

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