Four Corners Health Department Press Release
What does it mean to practice gratitude? It means to thank someone or to stop and appreciate what you have. The holiday season often means we give or are gifted many things – a great time to stop and be grateful. But you might not know that practicing gratitude can also be good for your health. Here are some benefits to keep in mind:
More Joy: Practicing gratitude helps you notice and appreciate what you already have. It lowers feelings of sadness and depression. Studies have shown that those who practice gratitude say they are more pleased with life than those who don’t.
Less Stress: Being grateful can also calm the nervous system. It activates the part of your body that helps you rest and digest. Gratitude is often used as a coping tool for anxiety. If you’re feeling stressed, stop and think of something you’re grateful for. It may help!
Better Sleep: Practicing gratitude creates more positive thinking. Less feelings of stress, worry, or sadness can lead to better sleep. Positive thinking tends to promote healthy habits during the day as well as healthier eating, and exercising. These habits can help sleep at night as well.
Better Heart Health: Better digestion, sleep, diet, and exercise help your heart. It has been found that keeping a gratitude journal can keep blood pressure down. Even thinking about gratitude can help slow your heart rate and control your breathing.
Follow these tips to help you take time for gratitude:
Say Thank You: This can be as simple as thanking someone after they give you something. Or you could thank someone for something they often do that you appreciate. Maybe thank them for being your friend. There are lots of reasons to say “Thank you”.
Write It Down: Another way to practice gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Or just simply write what you’re grateful for on a piece of paper. Maybe put it on a sticky note and stick it somewhere to remind you of your gratitude. You could also write a thank you note.
Hit Pause: Sometimes, you don’t need to say or write anything. Just pause, and think. “What do I have to be grateful for?”
Check Your Thinking: It can be easy to have negative thoughts slip in during the day. When that happens, stop and think about what you have to be grateful for. It will redirect your thoughts to be more positive.
The more you practice gratefulness, the easier it gets. Your brain gets used to appreciating the simple things, so it doesn’t take as much effort. Practice some gratitude today!
More information can be found here: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude or https://www.newhealthjourney.com/blog/tag/anxiety.
For questions or to learn more, call Four Corners at 402-362-2621 or 877-337-3573 or email us at info@fourcorners.ne.gov. Visit the Four Corners website at https://fourcorners.ne.gov. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel @fc_healthdept!
