2 min readEnhancewell
Over the next several days, the topic of gratitude will be at the forefront of many conversations. Well, that and pumpkin pie. But Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday— it's a practice that can change your life if you let it.
Today, we're talking about the practice of gratitude and its effects on your mental well-being, physical health, and workplace success.
Gratitude and mental health
Did you know that a single act of thoughtful gratitude can result in an immediate 10% boost of happiness and reduce depressive symptoms by 35%?
When you practice gratitude, your body releases oxytocin, which is beneficial for cultivating trust, generosity, and affection. Gratitude can decrease negative thoughts and lower stress while increasing your desire to seek out social support and build meaningful relationships.
The effect of gratitude on the body
Your brain is responsible for more than just your mental well-being. Brain chemistry can impact biology, so it's essential to steer your thoughts in a positive direction.
One study showed that participants who kept an online gratitude journal experienced fewer stomachaches, sore muscles, headaches, acne, and congestion after the two-week experiment. Other studies show that gratitude can improve cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation.
The impact of gratitude in the workplace
Being around people who appreciate you feels good, doesn't it? Cultivating a culture of gratitude in the workplace can lead to increased levels of trust, improved worker retention, and a positive atmosphere. Add all that to the physical and mental benefits, and you end up with healthy employees who want to be at work. Less sick days sound like a win, doesn't it?
A few simple practices to increase your gratitude
The effects of thankfulness are undeniable. Get the full benefit when you add these simple practices into your daily routine:
Keep a gratitude journal
Before you go to bed each night, spend a minute or two writing down three things you're grateful for. It may be difficult at first to come up with three, but once you train your brain to look for the good, you won't be able to stop!
To help you make this practice a habit, leave your gratitude journal on your pillow each morning so it's a physical reminder before you go to bed at night.
Send notes of gratitude
As a leader, you set the tone for your organization. When one of your team members does a great job— let them know. Send a quick email, or invest in a pack of notecards to jot down a message of gratitude.
Get social
Enhancewell founder Antoni Luke-Akagi tracks his gratitude on social media, where he's up to 813 days of practicing thankfulness. Join him by sharing what you're grateful for on your social media.
As you sit down for a Thanksgiving meal with loved ones this month, tell everyone why you're grateful for them. Then, take that practice and bring it with you to work. Gratitude is often taken for granted, but it's the secret ingredient that can revolutionize a workplace.