Giving thanks- Gratitude can lower your stress❤️

Psychology of Gratitude

Positive psychology studies advocate that the role of gratitude plays an integral role in an individual’s well-being.

“Counting blessings versus burdens” was published in 2003 by American Psychologist Robert Emmon. The researchers  asked subjects to keep a record of either neutral life events, daily-life challenges or experiences  that provoked gratitude. The one’s who kept a gratitude journal and incorporated their blessings, had heightened well-being than other two groups.

Some suggestions for creating a gratitude journal

1) Plan your time- I believe a daily entry is too taxing. Once or twice a week is sufficient.

2) Quality, not Quantity. Even if you are writing one blessing, please write it in detail and explain why you are grateful for that.

3)Be grateful for people than things 

4)Make a conscious effort. Decide and be determined to become grateful- the more dedicated you are, the more it will be beneficial for your diary and you aswell, of course!!!

5)Watch out for surprising blessings: Exploring them would leave more effective impression than expected one.

Now I would like to highlight the role of balanced thinking while being grateful!

1) Don’t  push yourself to be grateful all the time. Be ready to make new goals and strategies to achieve them.

2) Don’t waste your gratitude on someone who is treating you badly in extreme ways.

3)Don’t use gratitude to avoid your problems that need to be solved.

4) Don’t be be so grateful for your good fortune that you negate and discredit yourself for your successes and ignore self-worth.

5) Don’t confuse gratitude with indebtedness- you can appreciate someone without owing them.

In short, please acknowledge the good things in your life, but don’t indulge into toxic positivity. Solve your problems and set reasonable boundaries. Appreciate yourself for the hardwork and take good care of yourself first and then others.

Though gratitude is a virtue, but if used in a balanced way it’s an important ingredient for self-care. It gives your life a healthy flavor. Start counting your blessings In a good way!!