The Health Benefits of Gratitude

November 22, 2014

I would like to wish all of my American readers a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays. No gift giving, just coming together with friends and family over a beautiful harvest meal. I hope part of your Thanksgiving tradition is to also take a moment to give thanks. Turns out this can benefit your health.

According to Psychology Today, studies show that gratitude can be deliberately cultivated and can increase levels of well-being and happiness among those who practice this art. In addition, grateful thinking—and especially expression of it to others—is associated with increased levels of energy, optimism and empathy.

There is actually published research on the topic. Study participants are asked to record either what they are grateful for or the hassles they experience.

When your gratitude leads to optimism and it often does, this is a boost to your immune system. Expressing gratitude leads to a more optimistic outlook, less stress and a stronger immune system. What’s not to love about it?

Are you in a rut, focused on all the negative things in your life? Consider it your new prescription to begin a daily practice of gratitude!

thanksgiving

References

http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/gratitude

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2013 Dec;17(6):575. Gratitude: a gift of cancer. Mayer DK.

Span J Psychol. 2010 Nov;13(2):886-96. The effects of counting blessings on subjective well-being: a gratitude intervention in a Spanish sample. Martínez-Martí ML, Avia MD, Hernández-Lloreda MJ.

http://www.webmd.com/women/features/gratitute-health-boost

 

The top lymphedema questions answered in these

Free Webinars.

FOR PATIENTS
and CAREGIVERS

Does diet really make a difference for lymphedema?

What type of diet should I follow?

Get these answers and guidance on other essential topics like fluids, fasting, gluten and much more!

FOR DIETITIANS
and THERAPISTS

What is the research around lymphedema?

I’ve never dealt with lymphedema…should I start?

Get familiar with lymphedema, understand which patients are at risk, and learn how diet can improve your patient’s outcomes.

Recent Blogs

Pros and Cons of Salt
Pros and Cons of Salt

Let's talk about the pros and cons of salt. This blog is not medical advice, please consult your health care...

More
Gut Lymphatics
Gut Lymphatics

This blog is not meant to diagnose or treat conditions. References are contained at the bottom of the article .[ez-toc]...

More
Serrapeptase for Lymphedema and Lipedema
Serrapeptase for Lymphedema and Lipedema

I want to address the use of the supplement serrapeptase for treating lymphedema and lipedema. But first, let's start with...

More