Can An Attitude of Gratitude Keep You Healthy?

Research Project on Gratitude and Thanksgiving? Conducted by Dr.
Michael McCollough, of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas,
and Dr. Robert Emmons, of the University of California at Davis, this
study showed that gratitude plays a significant role in a person's
sense of well-being. The study revealed that people who express
gratefulness on a regular basis benefit from the following:

* Higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination
* More optimism and energy
* Less depression and stress
* More likely to help others
* More motivated to exercise regularly
* Made more progress toward personal goals
* More likely to feel loved

The study also showed that gratefulness begets gratefulness
encouraging a positive cycle of reciprocal kindness.

Here are a few quick tips for developing an attitude of gratitude:

* Make a note of three things that go well everyday and why. This
exercise was devised by Martin Seligman, the guru of the positive
psychology movement.
* Identify your strengths and use them in new and creative ways.
Studies show that the average person uses their strengths 37 percent
of the time. Try going to strengthfinders to find yours.
* Show gratitude in unexpected ways. Write someone a thank you
letter. Show kindness toward a stranger. Send someone flowers.
* Commit to small acts of kindness. Put the toilet seat down
instead of complaining about it. Do the dishes when it's not your
turn. Fill the gas tank up just because (speaking from personal
experience here...it really works!)
* Light a candle. Visit gratefulness.org and light a candle to
express your gratefulness. You can visit as much as you wish. Look
for my candle initialed "tlh".