Gratitude and Giving Back

For most of us, stress is a fact of life. And, while you can’t always control what happens to trigger stress, you can manage your reaction.

Ever notice that some people are able to find the good in difficult situations and can keep smiling even during the hardest days? If you’re one of the lucky ones, you may just be wired to keep up a positive attitude. For everyone else, it is possible to cultivate a more positive attitude and sense of optimism – with a little practice.

The key? It’s all about what you’re thankful for.

By now you know there is a clear connection between your heart, stress, cortisol levels and cardiovascular disease. But, several studies have shown that practicing daily gratitude can minimize stress, reduce cortisol levels, and improve your health.

Glass Half-Full: A study by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients who suffered acute coronary events benefitted from feelings of appreciation. During recovery, expressing gratitude and optimism improved health while reducing depression and anxiety.

Retail Therapy: An article in Health Psychology found that people who spent money on others experienced lower blood pressure levels after shopping than those who spent money on themselves.

Feeling #Blessed: Several studies have reported that being thankful for “the little things” lowers stress, reduces inflammation, boosts mood and inspires better sleep – which are all good for your heart.

So how do you create a daily practice of gratitude? Grab a pen and paper.

Experts say that your feelings of gratitude become more tangible when you write them down. You can start with a gratitude journal. Just jot down two or three things you are thankful for each day. Most people who stick with this practice look back after a week, month, or year and say they feel blessed to realize how much they have to be thankful for.

Now, write a thank you note to someone else. Expressing gratitude or appreciation to a loved one or colleague will make that person feel good and the act of thanking someone else can make you feel better, too!

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