FERNWOOD FITNESS - PULSE eMagazine - Issue#14 - Flipbook - Page 53
Engaging in the practice
of gratitude has
remarkable advantages
for both our mental and
physical well-being.
It has the power to
increase our happiness,
amplify positive
emotions, strengthen
our connections
with others, alleviate
impatience, and even
contribute to lower
blood pressure levels.
What makes this
practice truly incredible
is its accessibility and
affordability – practicing
gratitude is often
effortless and doesn’t
require any 昀椀nancial
investment.
What is gratitude?
Gratitude is a profound
and transformative
emotion that involves
recognising and
appreciating the
goodness and positive
aspects of life. It is the act
of expressing thanks and
acknowledging the value
and kindness received
from others or the world
around us. At its core,
gratitude is a mindset
that shifts our focus from
what is lacking to what
is present and worthy of
appreciation.
Gratitude goes beyond
simply saying “thank
you.” It involves
cultivating a genuine
sense of appreciation
and recognising the
blessings, big or small,
that enrich our lives. It is
about noticing the acts of
kindness, the supportive
relationships, the
opportunities for growth,
and the simple joys that
we often take for granted.
When we practice
gratitude, we cultivate
a positive outlook and
a greater sense of
contentment. It helps
us 昀椀nd ful昀椀llment in the
present moment and
strengthens our resilience
in the face of challenges.
Gratitude allows us to
shift our perspective from
a mindset of scarcity to
abundance, reminding
us of the abundance
of love, support, and
opportunities that
surround us.
Why practice
gratitude?
In research into positive
psychology, gratitude
is strongly and
consistently associated
with greater happiness.
Multiple studies,
including one done by
psychologists Dr. Robert
A. Emmons and Dr.
Michael E. McCullough,
have consistently
reaf昀椀rmed the positive
impact of gratitude.
In their research,
participants were
assigned weekly writing
exercises with speci昀椀c
themes. One group was
instructed to re昀氀ect on
and express gratitude for
things they were thankful
for during the week.
Another group focused
on documenting daily
annoyances or sources of
displeasure, while a third
group wrote about events
that had in昀氀uenced them
without any emphasis
on their positive or
negative nature.
After a span of 10 weeks,
the 昀椀ndings revealed that
individuals who practiced
gratitude through their
writing exhibited greater
levels of optimism and
overall life satisfaction.
Remarkably, they also
demonstrated a higher
inclination towards
physical exercise and
reported fewer visits to
medical professionals
compared to those who
昀椀xated on sources of
irritation.
