Gratitude Brings Comfort

When we are grieving it often feels like there is nothing to be grateful for in our life.

We can only feel our own sorrow for what we have lost.  This is a very common reaction to grief.

But what if?

What if for one hour a day you focused on finding things to be grateful for?  According to Robert Emmons, the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, reveals why gratitude is good for our bodies, our minds, and our relationships.  Robert Emmons study of gratitude went on to say that when they “studied more than one thousand people, from ages eight to 80, and found that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits:”

Physical
• Stronger immune systems
• Less bothered by aches and pains
• Lower blood pressure
• Exercise more and take better care of their health
• Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking

Psychological
• Higher levels of positive emotions
• More alert, alive, and awake
• More joy and pleasure
• More optimism and happiness

Social
• More helpful, generous, and compassionate
• More forgiving
• More outgoing
• Feel less lonely and isolated.

How Do You Cultivate Gratitude?

Start by keeping a gratitude journal and writing down everyday things you feel grateful for. Could be as simple as your ability to get out of bed, your pet or being able to function at work without crying. Notice things around you like trees and beautiful skys. Sound genuinely happy when people call you and try not to launch right into complaining, rather notice that they called and for that express gratitude.