Some Science Behind Gratitude

Science of GratitudeAccording to researchers at Indiana University, the mental benefits of gratitude include:

  • Decreased feelings of anxiety and depression
  • Individuals have a better ability to cope with stress
  • Feelings of individuals are more confident and have more self-worth
  • Individual have generally higher feelings of happiness
  • Individuals who practice gratitude may even rewire the brain to be more sensitive to experiences gratitude

They also found that there are physical benefits associated with having an attitude of gratitude such as:

  • Improved cardiac health
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Better sleep habits
  • Quicker recovery from illness
  • Increased energy

Ways to practice gratitude:

  • Keep a gratitude journal
  • Keep a gratitude jar and put little notes in the jar each day
  • Observe “30” days of thanks. Post something you are grateful for or post a picture of something you are grateful for each day.
  • Thank 5 people who have an impact on your life and write each one a letter to express your gratitude.
  • There are also gratitude calendars that can be helpful
  • Practice mindfulness
  • Spend time with loved ones
  • Volunteer

Mindfulness of Anxiety in the Body

Mindfulness for AnxietyBegin by focusing your breath for a few minutes as you’ve done before.

Once you can stay with a least a few cycles, let the breath recede into the background and choose your anxiety sensations as a primary object of attention. Feel how they manifest in the muscle tension, restlessness, and so forth. Try to approach these sensations with an attitude of interest and curiosity – not asking what they mean or where they come from, but just investigating how they feel in each instant. See if the sensations are solid or perhaps subtly changing from moment to moment. As you’ve done before, whenever your mind begins to wander away from the sensations, gently bring it back.

Notice also, any urges to withdraw from the anxiety sensations – to get up, shift position, or make them stop. The key here is to stay with what is happening in the body rather than trying to make the sensations stop or go away.