Choose Gratitude for Well-Being

As you celebrate the holidays and plan for a healthier more active you in the new year, give yourself a timeout. Take time to step away from the frenetic hustle and bustle and think seriously about gratitude during the year that is ending. One of my many caveats with my clients is to remind them that the well-being life has many facets and gratitude is one of the important elements. Dr. Robert A. Emmons, psychology professor at UC Berkley and leading scientific expert on gratitude shares that gratitude heals, energizes and transforms lives. In researching gratitude, Emmons found that those who keep a gratitude journal, recording the things they are grateful for have a lower dietary fat intake, lower levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, and may actually reduce the effects of aging on the brain. Other benefits of reflecting on those things that you are appreciative of are well-being, quality sleep and an optimistic outlook. Embracing and practicing gratitude is not difficult; you can practice gratitude by:

• Being aware and acknowledging what other people do for you
• Expressing appreciation for opportunities
• Communicating appreciation by thanking people and doing nice things for others

An attitude of gratitude is one of the easiest and economical things to do. Here are a few ideas to get started on gratitude goals:

• Volunteer in your community.
• Hand write a thank you note
• Share a healthful recipe with your walking group or exercise class.
• Smile when you answer the phone to communicate that you are pleased to hear from the person calling.
• Give at least one compliment daily.

In thinking about the plans and goals you’d like to accomplish in the coming year, add a healthy dose of gratitude which will benefit each step you make on the path to well-being. Take Away: Be grateful and express gratitude, as a key ingredient for a health and well-being. Image courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net