The practice of gratitude benefits our attitude. As we develop a habit of a grateful heart, scientific studies show that our brains actually change. And that’s more evidence in favor of a thankful heart.
Mental health professionals are now using the practice of gratitude along with counseling and other mental health treatments. The practice is cost-effective, beneficial and provides lasting results.
One study utilized a weekly practice of writing a letter of gratitude along with counseling. Those who wrote the letters showed greater improvement over those who did not. The simple intervention showed benefits after four weeks, followed by greater improvements over twelve weeks.
Benefits of Gratitude
MRI studies showed that the medial prefrontal cortex had greater activation and lasting effects on the brain:
- The medial prefrontal cortex is responsible to cognitive thought, regulation of emotions, motivation and socialization.
- Conversely dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex has been found in depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to name a few.
Other benefits
- Diminishes inflammation
- Increases optimism
- Greater satisfaction in life
- Improves self-esteem
- Improves sleep
- Lowers blood pressure
- Blocks those negative toxic emotions like jealousy, envy and resentment
- Helps you recognized the goodness in your life
- And more
Gratitude also improves relationships. When we are generally grateful, we look for the good in others and appreciate individuals God has placed in our lives. Certainly a contrast to being critical of others. Often those negative emotions toward others linger and grow into bitterness and other negative feelings.
In general the practice of gratitude helps you stop and smell the roses God has placed on your path. Then gratitude leads to praise to the God who gives us life and breath.
Scripture for Today
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:15 NKJV).
© 2024 Nanette M. Holloway—All Rights Reserved
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Great post! Thanks for giving us the real and proven results of staying in gratitude.
Yes. More and more studies are being done on the practice of gratitude.
I did a Bible study that taught me ungratefulness leads to unholiness. That struck me profoundly! It taught me the more grateful we are the more like Christ we become. So cool that all these other benefits happen, too. 😄
What an awesome Bible Sutdy that must have been. Thank you for sharing.