Got Gratitude? So Much More Than a Thanksgiving Tradition

Gratitude is often referred to as the “parent of all other virtues” and many tout a long list of benefits from living a life filled with gratitude. So, is practicing gratitude all that it’s cracked up to be? The answer is a long loud “Yes!”

Learning to appreciate the positive aspects in our lives is correlated to an increase of well-being. Countless studies indicate the practice of gratitude is accompanied with incredible benefits for both our mental and physical health. These include reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, a decrease in feelings of envy, aggression, and hostility and being less motivated by a pursuit of materialism. [i]

Additionally, people report an increase in life satisfaction, optimism, hope, empathy, appreciation for others, better quality of sleep and exercise, an ability to control stress and reframe negative experiences as potentially positive ones. In short, “gratitude…leads to significant gains in happiness.”[ii]

A recent group of young adults decided to put gratitude to the test. They began to do something as simple as incorporate the use of a gratitude journal each day and a powerful transformation took place. They quickly realized they spent much of their day focused on the negative rather than the positive aspects of their lives—forgetting to be grateful for what they currently have and for who they are. Here’s some of what they said:

“We are used to see[ing] only the empty side of the glass, complain[ing] about what is missing from our lives and ignoring what we already have.”

“We [have been] unsatisfied for our life and our current conditions. It seems like everything is going wrong. [Feeling] blocked by negative events…[and] just waiting for a change…”

After 10 weeks of recording in their journals, they indicated these changes:

“I have learned to appreciate my family more and desire to spend more time with them.”

“I was a perfectionist, but now I am more flexible, sociable, and available.”

“I have started to do good things and I have realized that I like helping others…[which] made me feel good [and] gave me satisfaction and happiness.”[iii]

GRATITUDE TAKES PRACTICE

Here are a few ideas we can consider to get started. If we are parents, we can identify things our children can do too. It's never too early (or too late!) to live with the spirit of gratitude.

Pray Every Day: Take time every day to give thanks to God—the giver of all we have.

Tell Someone You Love Them: Not only will this increase gratitude—we gain the added benefit of feeling a closeness to the ones we love.

Nurture Your Friendships: Connect in person with a friend and offer gratitude for and support to them.

Look For Ways to Participate in Acts of Kindness: Open a door for someone, offer an umbrella on a rainy day, smile as you pass them on the street, return someone’s shopping cart. It doesn’t require a lot of preparation, there are many simple ways to show kindness.

Notice The Beauty Around You: See the beauty in the people and things around you. See all the goodness in the world.

Avoid Negative Media: Negativity creates a sense of dissatisfaction and disillusionment. Fill your media feed with positive, uplifting, and joyful content.

Keep a Gratitude Journal: Regularly record things you are grateful for. You'll likely be surprised at what you see now that you didn’t recognize before.

Thank Those Who Serve You: Simply say thank you. Say it to the grocery store clerk, your children’s bus driver, the server at the restaurant, teachers, etc. With sincerity, say it to all who help you in any way.

Study Gratitude: Read or listen to talks, scriptures, books, quotes, podcasts, any and all things about gratitude! Write down what you learn and reflect on it often.

Focus on Your Strengths: Reflect on your gifts and talents. Take note of how they contribute to your well-being. Consider how you can use them to help family and friends.

---

As a bonus, here is a link to a beautiful message on “The Healing Power of Gratitude” shared by Russell M. Nelson, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in November of 2020. It is worth your time for certain!