Did you know that thankfulness can improve a woman’s sense of well-being? Physical health is one of seven scientifically proven benefits of gratitude. According to an article in Forbes on November 23, 2014, gratitude has these benefits: it “opens the door to more relationships”, “improves physical health”, “improves psychological health”, “enhances empathy and reduces aggression”, helps “people sleep better”, “improves self-esteem”, and “increases mental strength”. A woman can endeavor to improve her health through being thankful.

Personal Story

I’ve got to admit it. Expressing gratitude has always been hard for me. When I was a young child, my aunt gave us a special treat and I knew she was waiting for the words, “Thank you.” I recognized I needed to say those words. I was thankful but speaking out those words aloud was hard. I don’t know why it was so difficult for me, but I really struggled with it.

I am still working on thanking others often. It is becoming easier, but I struggle with remembering to state my gratefulness and not just feel my gratitude inside me.

Benefits

Research shows that an attitude of gratitude can have many health benefits.

Physical

Thankfulness improves physical health in these ways:

• Improves dietary habits
• Lowers use of cigarettes and alcohol
• Lowers blood pressure through helping others
• Lowers incidences of heart disease through being active and giving back to others
• Lowers cholesterol
• Reduces stress and risk for stroke, digestive complaints, and respiratory difficulties
• Improves sleep and reduces risk of heart conditions or weight gain
• Motivates to exercise and meet fitness goals
• May give longer life from giving back to others

Mental

Thankfulness makes our mental health better by:

• Improving self-esteem
• Increasing mental strength
• Improving psychological health
• Enhancing empathy
• Reducing aggression

 Social

Socially, thanksgiving improves our life through:

•  Opening the door to more relationships
• Being a person with whom others want to hang out

Spiritual 

While I don’t know if there is research to support this thought, I believe gratitude is a benefit for a woman’s spirituality.

• Caroline Leaf says, “When we thank, praise, & worship God, we prime our circuits for high intellectual function, & every cell in our body is positively affected.”

How to Cultivate Gratefulness and Express It

• Gratefulness list: write down 3 things for which you are thankful each day. Watch that list grow!
• Verbalize thankfulness
• Write thank you notes to people you are thankful for
• Have an accountability partner

Benefit from Thankfulness

Since I have found that it was difficult for me to verbalize my thankfulness to my aunt, I have learned that I could have expressed my appreciation in another way by writing her a thank you note. I thank others more often now, especially knowing there are many benefits from being and expressing thankfulness.

I am thankful for you, my readers. Thank you for letting me help you lead healthier lives.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Please encourage others by writing in the comment section above.