By Joanie Holm, CNP
Would you like to sleep better, have a healthier heart and less aches and pains? How about a lower blood pressure, a higher self -esteem and enhanced relationships? Would you believe that the Mayo Clinic and Harvard University, as well as other scientist all say these benefits can be yours with very little effort. And it doesn’t require a change in your diet or excessive exercise!
So, what is this magical therapy? GRATITUDE!!
Gratitude comes from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness or gratefulness. Psychologist’s Robert Emmons of University of California, Davis and Michael McCullough, University of Miami, were early researchers in this field. They found that 10 weeks of practicing gratitude can result in the outcomes listed above as well as: an increased happiness score, increased optimism, increased exercise, decreased physician visits, increased focus, increased patience and strengthened social connections. Wow, who doesn’t want these health and relationship benefits?
Gratitude is like a muscle that you can build with exercise and practice. There are many ways to increase your gratitude muscle such as writing thank you notes, saying thank you to others in person or just mentally, writing a gratitude journal, praying and meditating. Other experts mention benefits from a brief, positive chat with a friend, a kind gesture toward a stranger and a peaceful stroll in nature. A change in mindset can help you feel better, for example feeling grateful for a helpful friend rather than feeling frustrated that you can do the task alone.
Lets get started on this journey of gratitude. Thank you for reading this essay and for watching On Call with the Prairie Doc. Thanks to all of my friends and family for the love and support you give me daily. Thanks to my church family for your spiritual support.
Now it is your turn….
Joanie Holm, CNP is the Prairie Doc Board President and co-founder of Prairie Doc Programming.