There have been a number of research studies supporting the fact that living a life of gratitude can provide you with numerous health benefits. There are some physical and mental health benefits from having an attitude of gratitude which we will discuss in this article.

When you make a transition to a gratitude based life it will take time, effort and persistence so when you are aware of these health benefits it will inspire you to keep on going. We think that you will be pleasantly surprised at some of the health benefits that you will find below so let’s get on with it shall we?

1. You will become more Patient

Patience is a virtual and severely lacking in the “instant gratification” world that we live in today. There was a research study conducted at Northeastern University where they found that people who practiced gratitude on a regular basis tended to be a lot more patient than those that did not.

It is really important to have more patience in your life because it will make you think more long term and you will be able to make better decisions. So practice your gratitude every day so that you can develop this very important trait.

2. An Attitude of Gratitude will improve your Relationships

When you are able to express true gratitude to the important people in your life you will find that your relationships will be a lot stronger. You will create a much better connection with your partner and your friends and family. 

The Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology published a recent study to support this. They found that people that expressed gratitude regularly to the people that they love achieved a lot more satisfaction in their relationships. So be grateful to your partner and improve the most important connection that you have in your life.

3. Practicing Gratitude regularly improves your Sleep

When you express feelings of gratitude, particularly just before you go to bed at night, you will tend to fall asleep quicker and sleep for longer. If your head is full of negative thoughts then it will be harder for you to fall asleep whereas the positive thoughts created by gratitude will have you sound asleep in no time.

You will feel a lot more calm and relaxed after expressing your gratitude. If you have a gratitude journal, which you definitely should, then be sure to make entries into it before you go to sleep. Getting a good night’s rest is essential for good health.

4. Gratitude reduces Depression

If you suffer from depression then practicing gratitude is a good way to reduce it. Each morning and evening think about 3 things to be grateful for and write these down in your gratitude journal. Be sure to add the reasons why you are grateful for them as well. In a short time you will find that you are a lot happier and less depressed.

5. Gratitude creates lasting Happiness

There are many things in life that can give you a “happiness boost” such as eating sugar based foods. But these are temporary happiness highs that are soon over. When you have an attitude of gratitude you can feel happy for longer periods of time. It is more sustainable because of the strong emotion that is associated with gratitude.

It is not difficult to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. You do not need to invest in any expensive equipment – all you need is persistence and the willingness to transform your life for the better.

So start today so that you can experience these health benefits as well.