Here’s a really interesting article about the discipline of being thankful from the CBS radio network.
This is a bit of a ‘hobby horse’ for me, being grateful really is a choice that profoundly impacts us at the deepest level.
Enjoy!
Researchers find the virtues of gratitude include good health.
In recent years, many scientists have begun examining the links between
religion and good health, both physical and mental. Now two
psychologists are working to unlock the puzzle of how faith might
promote happiness. Dr. Michael McCollough, of Southern Methodist
University in Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Robert Emmons, of the University
of California at Davis, say their initial scientific study indicates
that gratitude plays a significant role in a person’s sense of
well-being.
McCollough and Emmons were curious about why people involved in their
faith seem to have more happiness and a greater sense of well-being
than those who aren’t and decided to study the connections. After
making initial observations and compiling all the previous research on
gratitude, they conducted the Research Project on Gratitude and
Thanksgiving. The study required several hundred people in three
different groups to keep daily diaries. The first group kept a diary of
the events that occurred during the day, while the second group
recorded their unpleasant experiences. The last group made a daily list
of things for which they were grateful.
The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises
resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm,
determination, optimism and energy. Additionally, the gratitude group
experienced less depression and stress, was more likely to help others,
exercised more regularly and made more progress toward personal goals.
According to the findings, people who feel grateful are also more
likely to feel loved. McCollough and Emmons also noted that gratitude
encouraged a positive cycle of reciprocal kindness among people since
one act of gratitude encourages another.
McCullough says these results also seem to show that gratitude works
independently of faith. Though gratitude is a substantial part of most
religions, he says the benefits extend to the general population,
regardless of faith or lack thereof. In light of his research,
McCullough suggests that anyone can increase their sense of well-being
and create positive social effects just from counting their blessings.
Source: http://www.acfnewsource.org/religion/gratitude_theory.html
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