The first time I was introduced to the brain hack that Gratitude has on cortisol and stress, I was intrigued. The more I read about gratitude, the more I realized how POWERFUL this practice could be. Research has shown that when you build a gratitude habit, you improve your mental and physical wellbeing. Still not sure whether you want to invest in your own gratitude practice? Read on for further information on just some of the ways in which practicing gratitude improves your overall wellbeing.
- Reduces stress: Gratitude has been found to reduce stress levels by promoting positive emotions, improving coping strategies, and increasing resilience.
- Increases optimism: Practicing gratitude can increase optimism and positive thinking, which can help to counteract the negative effects of stress and reduce cortisol levels.
- Lowers cortisol levels: Studies have found that expressing gratitude can lead to lower levels of cortisol in the body. This is thought to be because gratitude promotes positive emotions, which in turn can reduce the stress response and lower cortisol levels. (Read my Science of Gratitude blog for more details on the powerful counter-effects of gratitude on cortisol.)
- Improves sleep: Gratitude has been found to improve sleep quality, which is important for overall health and well-being. Better sleep can also help to reduce stress and cortisol levels.
- Enhances happiness and life satisfaction: Expressing gratitude has been consistently linked to increased levels of happiness and life satisfaction. When we actively acknowledge and appreciate the blessings, big or small, we experience a greater sense of fulfillment and contentment.
Whether you are seeking to enhance one or multiple aspects of your wellbeing – building a gratitude habit is a key strategy you should consider using!
