Live In Gratitude

As the United States approaches the national day of Thanksgiving, it is fitting to reflect on what science says about gratitude, which has been called the ‘forgotten factor’ in happiness research.

Psychologists Robert Emmons, University of California at Davis, and Michael McCullough, University of Miami, foremost researchers of gratitude, show that when people feel grateful and put it into words, they have a greater life experience.

The positive effects of feeling gratitude can be measured in lower blood pressure, heart rate and cellular response. The body is an amazing biofeedback machine. When people live in a state of praise or gratitude – especially when it is spoken – the body takes it all in and responds accordingly.

In an experimental comparison, Emmons and McCullough (2003) asked people to keep a weekly gratitude journal. The results revealed people who kept a weekly journal reported fewer physical adverse symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the future, compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.

Furthermore, participants who kept gratitude lists were more likely to report progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health) Young adults who practice a daily gratitude intervention (self-guided imagery and affirmations) have higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, attentiveness, determination, and energy compared to the group that focused on hassles or thinking of how they were better off than others.

Emmons and McCullough research has proven humans thrive on the vibrational energy of praise and gratitude.

Ironically, in spite of the reported benefits, it is interesting that celebrating gratitude surfaces in the national media only one day a year.

Pause now. Reflect on how your life would be improved if you focused on gratitude 365 days a year. Choose to live in gratitude.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Metaphysician – Certified Hypnosis and Regression Practitioner, Author and Speaker. Dr. Dorothy facilitates clearing baggage, fears and limiting beliefs. Then, you can live the life you desire.She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one’s daily thoughts and feelings. http://www.gen-assist.com