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Scientifically Proven Benefits that Gratitude Offers

GratitudeWhen we think of gratitude, we don’t often consider all of the benefits attached to it. We’re grateful in the moment when there is something obvious to be glad about, but it often goes away as quickly as it came. However, gratitude it really more than a mere emotion that comes upon us when good things happen. It’s also a choice that we have to make. There is always something to be grateful for and it should be our prerogative to acknowledge them on a daily basis. When we do, we reap a lot of benefits that we maybe didn’t expect. Here are a few benefits that gratitude offers: (forbes.com)

Self-Esteem

In a 2014 study that was published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, it was observed that gratitude held a direct connection to increased self-esteem in athletes, which is a major player in terms of optimal performance.

In other studies, there also appeared to be a link between gratitude and the ability to appreciate the accomplishments of others. In other words, it reduced social comparison, which is a big self-esteem killer.

Mental Strength

In 2006, a study published in Behavior Research and Therapy revealed that veterans of the Vietnam War actually experienced lower levels of PTSD if they expressed higher levels of gratitude. Another study showed that gratitude contributed in a major way to recovery from the 911 terrorist attacks.

Psychological Health

Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a leading researcher on gratitude, has conducted a number of studies that reveal a connection between well-being and gratitude. The findings in his research have confirmed that gratitude is effective in terms of reducing depression and increasing feelings of happiness.

Physical Health

A 2012 study, published in Personality and Individual Differences found that those who are grateful seem to experience fewer aches and pains and give reports of feeling healthier than others. Additionally, grateful individuals are more likely to be good stewards of their health, engaging in more frequent physical activity and attending regular check-ups which is probably the cause of the longevity of their lives.