Gratitude & Giving

Gratitude has been scientifically proven to be a key behavior and mentality in improving our immune system, lowering anxiety and stress, and increasing our overall happiness and well-being. All too often in our culture gratitude is limited to a small gesture, not given much real thought or feeling. But Harvard happiness researcher, Shawn Achor, has demonstrated that practicing gratitude intentionally, consciously, and consistently leads to real psychological and physiological benefits.

How to Practice Gratitude

Achor's studies suggest that spending just 5 minutes every day to write 3 things we're grateful for -- and they have to be different each day -- will immensely improve our happiness and optimism. He also suggests that taking a few minutes to write one meaningful event a day will increase our positive perception of life. We should also try to openly express our gratitude to people (or things) as often as we can. Gratitude expert, Brother David Steindl-Rast, suggests that we be careful to not use gratitude as toxic positivity if one's situation is too painful. He says to see every moment we're given as an opportunity to be grateful -- that is to trust life and to try to see meaning in whatever circumstance we're in.

Giving to others has been also shown to better improve heart health and overall well-being compared to when we give to ourselves personally. Another Harvard happiness researcher, Arthur Brooks, finds that there are 4 main pillars to a happy life: faith, family, friends, and giving to the greater good. He stresses giving to others more than ourselves is integral to long-term happiness because it helps us find our purpose, a sense of belonging, and is mutually beneficial to everyone's lives. 

How to Practice Giving

Although the act of giving in any form is encouraged, scientific studies have demonstrated that giving to others face-to-face is the most beneficial for both parties involved. Giving does not have to be some grand or expensive gesture, but can be as simple as thinking of others more often than yourself, helping someone out with a chore, and asking people how they are doing, with empathy and compassion. As with gratitude, try to give to others as often and intentionally as you can.