Does the phrase “have an attitude of gratitude” make you want to roll your eyes?
If so, we get it… a lot of “self-help” sayings can seem annoyingly saccharine or shallow, like the clichéd poster of the kitten hanging from a tree branch.
But when it comes to gratitude, science shows that the cheesy aphorisms have some solid truth behind them.
Taking time each day to focus on everything you’re thankful for can not only make you happier and help you appreciate your life more, it can also help you live longer.
Here are four ways that a daily gratitude practice can increase your longevity – and your joy:
1. Reduces anxiety, depression, and stress
Practicing gratitude can ease anxiety and depression by decreasing the stress hormone, cortisol, while boosting happiness hormones serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.
2. Protects against cardiovascular disease
Regular gratitude practice can also lower blood pressure and protect against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for men and women globally.
3. Improves sleep and supports the immune system
Practicing gratitude soothes the nervous system and can help you sleep better, providing essential support to your body’s immune system.
4. Enhances cognitive function
Gratitude has been associated with improved cognitive function and with reduced social isolation and loneliness – both of which are known risk factors for dementia.
So don’t let the cheesy aphorisms stop you from experiencing the benefits of gratitude in your life.
All you have to do is take five minutes each day to write down everything you have to be thankful for – and notice the impact it has on your mood, outlook, relationships, and quality of sleep.