the science of thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving season seems an appropriate time to remind myself (and maybe others) of the tremendous benefits of being thankful. The relatively new field of Positive Psychology (which focuses on optimizing happiness and other positive qualities instead of how to treat pathological states) has accumulated an impressive body of research on the benefits of being thankful.

In our busy and stress-filled lives it is only natural that our attention is drawn to the things that irritate us. But, if we make the effort to re-direct our attention, at least for a little while, to some things for which we are thankful, we can make a positive difference in our mood, our health, our relationships, and our world.

Some of the recent research studies have found that (references provided upon request):

Those who kept gratitude journals had fewer physical symptoms, exercised more, and felt better about their lives as a whole than those who recorded hassles or neutral life events

In a group of people with neuromuscular disease those who were reminded to be thankful reported greater amounts of positive moods, better sleep duration, and better sleep quality than a control group.

Couples that give compliments to each other and express appreciation are much less likely to divorce and report higher levels of happiness.

Grateful people take better care of themselves, engage in more protective health behaviors, and have stronger immune systems.

When I do remember to be thankful I often am amazed at how much I take for granted on a regular basis. Today I am thankful for the sun, clean water, my family, my job, that I live in the USA, and many other things.

Thank you for reading this far. Consider yourself reminded to be thankful.