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Attitude of Gratitude
– By Dr . Mercola
Can feeling gratitude influence your health ? According to a number of studies , the answer is yes .
While the once-a-year gratitude ritual of Thanksgiving is better than nothing , if you ’ re serious about your wellbeing , you ’ d be wise to increase the frequency at which you feel and express gratitude . People who are thankful for what they have are better able to cope with stress , have more positive emotions and less anxiety , sleep better and have better heart health . Gratitude can produce measurable effects , including :
• Mood neurotransmitters ( serotonin and norepinephrine )
• Inflammatory and immune systems ( cytokines )
• Stress hormones ( cortisol )
• Social bonding hormones ( oxytocin )
• Blood pressure and cardiac and EEG rhythms
• Cognitive and pleasure-related neurotransmitters ( dopamine )
How to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude Like a muscle , your sense of gratitude can be strengthened with practice . One way to harness the positive power of gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal where you write down what you ’ re grateful for each day . Avoiding getting sucked into bad news is the other side of this equation . You may have to limit your media exposure from time to time if you find it difficult to maintain a positive outlook in the face of worldly horrors .
Other ways to cultivate a sense of gratitude include :
• Write thank you notes : Whether in response to a gift or kind act , or simply as a show of gratitude for someone being in your life , getting into the habit of writing thankyou letters can help you express gratitude in addition to simply feeling it inside .
• Nonverbal actions : This includes smiles and hugs , both of which can express a wide array of messages , from encouragement and excitement to empathy and support .
• Mind your please and thank-yous : As noted by Dr . Alison Chen : “ The next time your arms are full and someone holds the elevator doors for you , don ’ t just glance over your shoulder and say ‘ thanks .’ Turn around , look them in their eyes and mean it ; it ’ s the act of generosity that ’ s important .”
• Prayer and mindfulness meditation : Expressing thanks during prayer or meditation is another way to cultivate gratitude . Practicing “ mindfulness ” means that you ’ re actively paying attention to the moment you ’ re in right now .•
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Celebrating our 10th year ! ~ Autumn 2016
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