GRAND Magazine - November/December 2019 - 29

grandliving
and pumpkin pie. It turns out actually giving THANKS is extremely beneficial to
our wellbeing.
When we take time to acknowledge the goodness in our lives, it doesn't
just make us "feel better" temporarily. The benefits of gratitude run deep.
Positive psychology research reveals that when we acknowledge the good in
our lives, we experience a shift. We connect with something larger than ourselves. The practice of gratitude actually changes our brain, helping us develop
new, stronger neural pathways geared toward happiness.
A few of the fantastic benefits of gratitude include becoming less materialistic and self-centered. Thankfulness makes us more optimistic and generous
towards those around us. We become an example to others, and this change
creates a ripple effect for our entire family!

benefits of gratitude even increase our lifespan! So, instead of relying on the
turkey and squash for a healthy Thanksgiving, focus on gratitude!
Why we often struggle with gratitude
With all these benefits, you may wonder why being grateful still feels like
a struggle sometimes. It's not your imagination-gratitude actually requires
an intentional approach.
Humans possess a negativity bias. This bias means we're predisposed to
look for dangers and fears in life, instead of looking on the bright side. Now,
this isn't because humans are just generally negative for no good reason.
Our negativity bias helps assure our survival.
Negativity bias has an evolutionary purpose. You see, if you were back in
the caveman days, you would need to stay on alert in case a mountain lion
was hiding behind a rock. Your senses were geared to identify anything that
seemed alarming, out of place, or unstable, as they could indicate danger
Think about the last time you received criticism was nearby.
Fast forward to today. We aren't looking out for mountain lions, but we're
from someone. Chances are, it stuck with you for
still attuned to danger. We naturally scan for what's wrong and what needs
hours-even days.
fixing in any given situation. This attentiveness is especially true when we're
under stress, like during the holidays and when we're with family.
Better still, studies show shifting to an attitude of gratitude helps us
Think about the last time you received criticism from someone. Chances
develop stronger immune systems. We experience fewer aches and pains,
are, it stuck with you for hours-even days. Compliments, on the other
lowered blood pressure, better sleep, and better overall health (which is great hand, often roll off our back in a moment. Our brains are wired to stockpile
for keeping us healthy during flu season, too). Our minds feel more alert, alive, memories of negative experiences faster than positive ones, so we avoid
and awake. We build stress resistance; we're more resilient and relaxed, and we dangerous or harmful situations in the future.
experience a higher sense of self-worth.
As if all that wasn't enough, gratitude helps us in our job, as we increase
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our productivity, become better leaders, and get better at goal achievement.
In our relationships, we become more helpful, generous, compassionate, and
Relationships experts, world-class
coaches, and best-selling authors,
forgiving. Thankfulness makes us more social and outgoing (combating those
Dr. Judith and Dr. Bob Wright are coholiday blues and feelings of loneliness). Grateful people are kinder to others
founders of the Wright Foundation
for the Realization of Human
and they experience healthier and deeper relationships!
Potential and The Wright Graduate
Are you blown away yet? If not, here's something that might do it. The
University and authors of The Heart

of the Fight

29 GRAND

Nov-Dec 2019

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GRAND Magazine - November/December 2019

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