How a Gratitude Practice can Improve your Health
Happy November – month of my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving! This month, I got curious about how gratitude affects health because of one of my recent clients. While she was being coached, she decided she wanted to keep a gratitude journal and write down one thing she was grateful for each day for 30 days. She couldn’t repeat the things, it had to be something new every day, encouraging her to dig deeper and appreciate many different facets of her life. She enjoyed this process and said it helped her break some negative, self-deprecating thought patterns. And guess what, she’s right! Studies have shown that people who make a point to practice gratitude are more optimistic, have increased brain activity in areas relating to emotional sensitivity, and have overall higher happiness scores. Wow!
Other studies have tracked gratitude in other areas of life, such as the work place and in romantic relationships, and found positive correlations there as well. Who doesn’t like to be thanked and appreciated!?!?!
In my approach to health coaching, we consider the whole self - body, mind and spirit. We work to nourish all of those areas in a holistic manner. If the health of your mind or spirit is off, it shows in your body, and vice versa. Which is where gratitude comes in. A gratitude practice is a great way to keep a positive mindset. If you’re in the middle of trying to change your health, giving gratitude to the changes you have made can help keep you motivated. And when it feels like nothing is working, tuning into the positive can help shake that mood.
Check out some simple ways to incorporate gratitude into your day or week:
-Give thanks before you eat – the age-old tradition actually helps in more ways than one! Not only is it good as a reminder to express gratitude, but it also allows you to slow down and breathe before you eat, which helps you to digest food better when you do eat it.
-Write a letter of gratitude – write a weekly letter to someone to express gratitude. Send it or don’t.
-Keep a gratitude journal – write down one thing a day you’re grateful for…try to switch it up!
-Pick gratitude as your focus for a meditation practice – if you have a meditation practice (or are trying to start one!) use gratitude as a starting place.
-Share with those close to you – instead of asking your partner, roommate, child, or whomever you speak with every day how their day was, ask them what something was they’re grateful for that day. Start making it a ritual to share what you appreciate about your lives with each other. Live alone? Ask a friend or relative that you call or text frequently.
November is a great month to start a gratitude practice. Try it and see how it affects your mindset!
November is also a great time to take the next step in your health journey. If you’re looking for support, knowledge and motivation in making healthy lifestyle changes, let’s chat…reach out to set up a session to learn if health coaching is for you.
With gratitude,
Emily