A licensed marriage and family therapist at Sharp HealthCare, Lindsay Damoose, recently discussed the impact of gratitude on mental health. She defined gratitude and elaborated on its influence on overall wellbeing.
Damoose stated, "Gratitude keeps us grounded and is a way of practicing mindfulness." She further added, "Gratitude allows us to be present and helps us refocus on what really matters in life."
As we enter the new year, many individuals are seeking ways to make positive changes in their lives for better health and wellbeing. Damoose suggests incorporating the practice of gratitude into one's self-improvement goals. She said: "It’s so easy to be bogged down by all of the busyness, stress and competing expectations we manage nowadays. But focusing on what we do appreciate allows us to shift our attention away from what we can’t control. It’s like a filter that emphasizes the positivity in life," as reported by Sharp Health News.
The act of appreciating small things such as enjoying a cup of coffee or expressing gratitude during journaling or meditation can significantly alleviate anxiety and enhance health. Gratitude has been found to improve sleep quality, metabolism, mood by releasing dopamine into the brain. Moreover, it reduces anxiety and depression levels while boosting the immune system and decreasing inflammation. For individuals with heart conditions, gratitude has demonstrated an improvement in cardiac performance. The practice of gratitude also enhances traits like hope, positivity, empathy while reducing arrogance and resentfulness, according to Sharp Health News.
Building a habit of focusing on life's positives may initially seem challenging; however, practicing gratitude becomes easier over time. Damoose noted: "The more you do this, the better you’ll feel, and you’ll eventually start looking for the good in things without even having to try. This is a practice that teaches us resilience and will certainly help us get through whatever crises — big or small — may come our way." Particularly during periods of transition, such as the new year, gratitude can serve as a powerful tool for enhancing mental health and is simple to implement, as reported by Sharp Health News.
