Gratitude & Well-Being
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Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
Reduce Depression
A meta-analysis of 70 studies has indicated that responses from over 26,000 people support a practice of gratitude reduces depression. Gratitude seems to reduce symptoms of depression. Those who practice gratitude feel more satisfaction with life, have more positive relationships, and a higher level of self-esteem.
Lesson Anxiety
Gratitude can be a coping mechanism to deal with overthinking and anxiety. Regularly practicing gratitude helps combat negative thinking and allows for a more positive mindset. It also allows you to change your thinking from the past or future and into the present moment of what you are grateful for right now.
Support Heart Health
A 2021 study review revealed that keeping a gratitude journal physically impacts your heart rate causing the force your heart exerts between beats to drop drastically, slowing your heart rate and regulating your breathing.
Relieve Stress
When our bodies are under stress, our nervous system has a physical response called fight or flight. This causes our heart to beat faster, muscles contract and we begin to pump adrenaline. Words of gratitude can trigger the parasympathetic nervous system and begin to slow down the stress response.
Improve Sleep
Thinking positive thoughts before going to sleep can help promote better sleep. People who exercise gratitude practices regularly tend to eat better, move more, and pursue their goals more so they feel good about themselves. Gratitude impacts stress, anxiety, and depression positively helping with sleep because these factors usually impact sleep negatively.
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Ways to Practice Gratitude
Write a thank you note
Keep a gratitude journal
Thank someone mentally
Count your blessings
Pray or honor a higher power
Meditate with your gratitude list, giving thanks for all your good fortune
Notice the beauty in nature each day
Smile more often
Make it a habit to do one act of kindness daily
Do not gossip or disparage anyone
Make a weekly commitment to not complaining about anything
Live mindfully, not worrying about the past or the future.
We Are Grateful for You!
This month many of us will celebrate Thanksgiving and begin shopping for the holidays. Giving gifts with meaning and feeling the fortune of being able to share those gifts with loved ones brings more power to this special time of the year. Checking names off the list of gift-giving can really take away from the beauty of the holidays, so remembering the why behind each gesture of giving and feeling into the receiver can make giving more remarkable and simple. Practicing gratitude has more meaning when shared with others and when we see the benefits it brings to us on a regular basis.
At Underground Trainers, we pride ourselves on meeting the needs of the whole client. We understand how moving your body regularly is only one piece of each individual’s wellness puzzle. Offering meaningful ways to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle is our goal with each of our clients. We want to take this opportunity to share our gratitude for each and every one of you who spends time caring for your mind, body, and spirit in our small piece of this community. Thank you to our trainers for planning each session with care, mindfulness, and consideration for each of your clients.
Sending love, light, and gratitude to all who read this.
We are grateful for YOU!
