If you’re looking for a way to escape the toxic world in which we currently live, this morning’s affirmation should help.
My attitude is always one of gratitude.
I’ve mentioned gratitude before, but you really can’t talk about this topic too much, as it’s so important to a healthy mental attitude. This article from positivepsychology.com, 14 Health Benefits of Practicing Gratitude According to Science, discusses studies done on the benefits of gratitude. One study broke individuals down into 3 groups, with all 3 groups receiving counseling services:
- Group one wrote a gratitude letter to another person every week for three weeks.
- Group two wrote about their thoughts and feelings about negative experiences.
- Group three didn’t write anything.
At the end of the study, the group who wrote the gratitude letter reported “significantly better mental health four and 12 weeks after the intervention ended.” The study found that the exercise of writing the gratitude letters, shifted the focus away from toxic, negative emotions, towards healthy, positive emotions, even if the letter wasn’t sent. Simply writing the letter was enough to shift the focus of the mind.
While not all studies on gratitude were quite as positive as the one noted above, most scientists agree that gratitude has many benefits, including:
- Gratitude buffers people from stress and depression
- People who express gratitude tend have healthier hearts
- Grateful individuals, with a positive attitude tend to have better quality sleep.
- Individuals who keep a gratitude journal tend to eat healthier.
We live on a beautiful planet, filled with amazing humans, plants and animals. Whatever the reasons or benefits of an attitude of gratitude, it never hurts to be thankful for being alive.
3 responses to “Morning Affirmation~ My attitude is always one of gratitude.”
I have met people who felt that showing gratitude meant that they were negating all the suffering they had gone through in life. It was difficult to see that letting go of the pain didn’t negate their experiences, it simply allowed them to live freely from that pain
At one point I heard a quote which said when we get tired of holding onto the pain we become ready to heal.
Gratitude allows the healing to happen, and is a release valve for our sanity and mental health!
After reflecting on suffering and trying to learn from it, I try to always express gratitude for all experiences. The positive ones give us joy. The negative ones offer lessons. Thank you for your wonderful comment.
My pleasure! Keep doing what you are doing, it’s working! 🥰