(NaturalNews) With all the insanity in the world, it is easy to become bogged down with negativity. Destructive weather, economic meltdowns, a toxic environment, GMOs. The list could go on forever. It is natural to become disillusioned, depressed and hostile in light of such bad news. But researchers have discovered that even when the environment around us is cloaked in apparent darkness, we can still be happy, healthy, alert -- and make a positive impact. As we become more appreciative, vibrancy and energy returns, stress is reduced and we are able to connect with others in a beneficial way.
The science behind gratefulness
Doctors Blaire and Justice at the University of Texas Health Science Center believe that "gratitude is truly amazing in its physical and psychosocial benefits." A tall order for something as simple as feeling grateful, but research has found that an orientation of gratitude will:
- Encourage higher levels of alertness, vitality, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy
- Reduce physical symptoms like headaches, coughing, nausea or pain
- Boost immunity in both sick and healthy persons
- Lower stress response and blood pressure
- Curb depression and anxiety
- Cool anger and diminish resentment
- Cultivate compassion and empathy
- Increase positive social connections
Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., from the University of CaliforniaDavis, confirms these benefits. Emmons, along with his colleague Mike McCullough of the University of Miami, conducted an experiment where participants were given one of three tasks. A weekly journal was kept by each randomly assigned individual either recording grateful thoughts, hassles and frustrations or neutral circumstances that were neither positive nor negative. After 10 weeks, those in the gratitude group were 25 percent happier about their lives than the group that documented frustrations. They also had fewer health complaints and exercised longer by 1.5 hours.
Another study found that individuals with congenital and adult-onset neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) also benefited from gratitude journaling. For those who kept a gratitude journal, quality of sleep was enhanced with longer hours and a more refreshed feeling upon waking. They also felt increased optimism about the upcoming week, more satisfaction with their lives and a greater connection to others compared with the non-journaling participants in the study.
Practices for cultivating gratitude
This all sounds well and good, but how do we begin to instill more gratitude into our hectic days? A common theme among positive psychologists: start small and slow down. Here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling:
- Keep a daily gratitude journal
- Appreciate nature, a good meal or an object of beauty
- Write a detailed thank you note
- Count blessings each day
- Spend a few moments in silent prayer with a focus on thankfulness
- Show appreciation for a coworker, mate or family member
Reality check
Still daunted by the idea of cultivating a grateful orientation day in and day out? Michigan positive psychologist Christopher Peterson offers a bit of insight:
"I'm not a Pollyanna. And obviously, someone who's unrelentingly cheerful can be a pain in the ass. ... There are no long-term quick fixes for happiness. So if you become a more grateful person and you add those exercises to your repertoire, you'll be different six months or a year from now. But if you say okay, I'm done with the story and I'm going back to the way I was, it'll just have been a six-week high. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not going to permanently change you."
Sources for this article include:
"The Neuroscience of Why Gratitude Makes Us Healthier" Ocean Robbins, Huffington Post, November 4, 2011. Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com
"In Praise of Gratitude" Harvard Health Letter, November 2011. Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from: http://www.health.harvard.edu
"Extending the Tradition of Giving Thanks Recognizing the Health Benefits of Gratitude" Grif Alspach, RN, MSN, EdD, Editor, Critical Care Nurse, December 2009. Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from: http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/content/29/6/12.full
"10 Ways to Become More Grateful" Robert Emmons, Greater Good, November 17, 2010. Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu
"A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day" John Tierney, The New York Times, November 21, 2011. Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from: http://www.nytimes.com
"Stumbling toward Gratitude" Catherine Price, Greater Good, Summer 2007. Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu
"Fulfillment at Any Age" Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D., Psychology Today, May 25, 2010. Retrieved on December 5, 2012 from: http://www.psychologytoday.com
About the author: Carolanne enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef and wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of organic living, gratefulness and joyful orientation for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people who share a similar vision.
FREE online report shows how we can save America through a nutrition health care
revolution. "Eating healthy is patriotic!" Click here to read it now...
The
Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Michael Holick reveals fascinating facts on
how vitamin D is created and used in the human body to ward off chronic diseases
like cancer, osteoporosis, mental disorders and more. Click here to read it now...
Vaccines:
Get the Full Story
The International Medical Council on Vaccination has released, exclusively through
NaturalNews.com, a groundbreaking document containing the signatures of physicians,
brain surgeons and professors, all of which have signed on to a document stating
that vaccines pose a significant risk of harm to the health of children.
Click here to read it now...
Health
Ranger Storable Organics
GMO-free, chemical-free foods and superfoods for long-term storage and preparedness.
See selection at www.StorableOrganics.com
Email this article to a friend
Now Available from 
