Go Gratitude!

GOOD DAY TO YOU! :-) Hope this finds you doing very well! <3
Our theme of the past two weeks in yoga class has been gratitude. We learned about different research studies on gratitude, how gratitude benefits various parts of our lives, we practiced breathing with gratitude, and wrote a list of things we were grateful for, in between poses.

I find the power of gratitude to be very strong. Gratitude has been my partner throughout life since listening to an Anthony Robbins tape at the age of 16. I was looking for answers and found them within. I have since kept a gratitude journal and my life’s journey, so far, has been GREAT! Not because it has been without fear and strife but because gratitude had become a tool to see each moment, no matter what the circumstances, as an opportunity to learn and grow. I encourage you to please take the time to start a gratitude journal. Just 3 things a day you’re grateful for. Try it for a week or two and see how it makes you feel. I could go on and on but instead I’ll share with you one of my favorite, quickie articles on the subject.

Sending you infinite love, great peace and a world of gratitude! Hope this adds wellness to your life! Hope to see you in class! :-) <3, Val XO

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A Dose of Gratitude: How Being Thankful Can Keep You Healthy
Written by Robin Madell
Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD.
Published on Healthline.com
 
Studies show that people who regularly practice giving thanks are happier.

What if there was a solution to stress so simple that it involved nothing more than feeling thankful for the good things in your life? In fact, there is. That solution is called gratitude.

Studies have shown that people who regularly practice feeling thankful have a leg up when it comes to their health. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, has been a leading researcher in this growing field, termed “positive psychology.” His research has found that those who adopt an “attitude of gratitude” as a permanent state of mind experience many health benefits.

Emmons’ findings, along with those from other researchers such as Lisa Aspinwall, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, suggest that grateful people may be more likely to:

• take better care of themselves physically and mentally
• engage in more protective health behaviors and maintenance
• get more regular exercise
• eat a healthier diet
• have improved mental alertness
• schedule regular physical examinations with their doctor
• cope better with stress and daily challenges
• feel happier and more optimistic
• avoid problematic physical symptoms
• have stronger immune systems
• maintain a brighter view of the future
  

 
With that list of benefits, who wouldn’t want to try it? To get started giving thanks, consider integrating some of the steps below into your daily life.

Focus Attention Outward
Your attitude plays a large role in determining whether you can feel grateful in spite of life’s challenges. According to Emmons, gratitude is defined by your attitude towards both the outside world and yourself. He suggests that those who are more aware of the positives in their lives tend to focus their attention outside of themselves.
 
Be Mindful of What You Have
You may assume that those with more material possessions have more to be grateful for. However, research suggests otherwise. Edward Diener, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, found that a high percentage of affluent people in Japan report low levels of life satisfaction, just as those living in poverty in India do. These findings suggest that it’s not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have that makes the difference.

Keep a Gratitude Journal
Recording what you feel grateful for in a journal is a great way to give thanks on a regular basis. Emmons found that those who listed five things they felt grateful for in a weekly gratitude journal reported fewer health problems and greater optimism than those who didn’t. A second study suggests that daily writing led to a greater increase in gratitude than weekly writing.

Reframe Situations as Positive
It’s not actually a challenging situation that is upsetting. It’s how you perceive the situation. The next time you find yourself complaining about life’s hassles, see if you can mentally “flip the switch” to frame things differently. For example, rather than getting down about missing an opportunity, try to see the positive side. You might now have more time to direct towards other priorities.