4 Ways to Strengthen Your Gratitude Muscle
Thank you is a phrase that has the power to transform our health, happiness, and inner state of mind and heart. Research shows that grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain good friendships.
A state of gratitude, according to research by the Institute of HeartMath, improves the heart’s rhythmic functioning, which helps us reduce stress, think more clearly under pressure and heal physically.
It’s physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time.
I think every day should be Thanksgiving no matter where you live.
If you and I choose to be grateful, in spite of our circumstances, we flood our body and brain with emotions and endorphins that uplift and energize us rather than the stress hormones that drain us.
Today, think of gratitude as a muscle — the more you exercise it, the stronger it will become.
Four Ways to Exercise Your “Thank You” Muscle
1. Take a thank you walk
At some point today, take a 10-minute walk and say out loud the things you are thankful for. Try it every day for the next seven days.
2. Say thank you during a meal
Go around the table at meal time and have each person say what they are thankful for. If you’re alone, express out loud your gratitude. All ages can do this.
3. Go on a gratitude visit
Write a letter of gratitude to someone, then go and read it to them in person. According to Martin Seligman, Ph.D. (the father of positive psychology), research shows that people who do this are measurably happier and less depressed a month later.
4. Make it a practice to say thank you at work
When Doug Conant was CEO of Campbell Soup, he wrote approximately 30,000 thank you notes to his employees. It energized the company in the process.
Energize and engage those around you by finding meaningful ways to say thanks. Give a note. Send a text. Say it out loud.
Questions to Ponder
Why does being grateful matter?
What keeps us from being more grateful?
Who’s your gratitude role model?
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About Cam Taylor
Coach, author, speaker, father, friend, leader, life long learner.