Wellness

GRATITUDE: GOOD FOR BODY MIND & SOUL

Man writes in journal as he stands in front of boulder.

Gratitude is Good for Your Health.

Gratitude not only feels good -- it turns out it actually is good for you. Studies are showing that grateful people are happier and they’re physically healthier. They sleep more soundly, their hearts are stronger, and the tend to better fend off immune-related illness.

Opening a journal to reveal pressed flowers.

By atibens. “Pressed Flowers (Leaves) - (p. 19) - Result before pressing flowers.”

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley has conducted numerous studies on the gratitude and its effects on our health. Some studies have shown that gratitude is a key to psychological wellbeing and can make people happier, reducing depression and suicidal thoughts.

The gratitude effect is evident regardless of age or culture.

Young man writes in his journal in middle of field.

“Day 7: Journal. Steward Will Hand writes in his journal.” Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management Alaska.

New research found in GGSC’s Thnx4 project found that participants who kept an online gratitude journal for two weeks reported better physical health, including fewer headaches, less stomach pain, clearer skin, and fewer ailments in general.

By Sean Connors. “Algonquin Park.”

According to another GGSC study, as well as a National institute of Health study, people who keep gratitude journals also sleep more soundly.

Pages of journal with collage of bird, butterflies, leaves, flowers and feathers.

By Creativelenna. “Art Journal every day.”

GGSC’s Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude initiative, led by Naomi Eisenberger, is testing how gratitude exercises, such as writing in gratitude journals, can change the expression of genes related to inflammation. Another study, led by Wendy Mendes, is investigating how gratitude changes biomarkers related to stress, resilience, and aging.

Fountain pen writes in gratitude journal.

By athena. “2/365 Days - Pen and Paper.”

Learn more about how gratitude affects health and aging and other the benefits of gratitude.

See how you rate on the gratitude spectrum. Take the GGSC quiz.

Beaded covers with beautiful colors and patterns of handmade journals from Morocco.

By Smallest Forest. “moroccan journals.”

If you would like to try keeping a gratitude journal, check out GGSC’s helpful Gratitude Journal Guide on how to get started.

Detail of handmade journal page with collage, embroidery and buttons.

By scrappy annie. “Sample book (detail).”

Gratitude journals offer a beautiful creative outlet as well. They are repositories of personal expression. Many people find even more joy in embellishing their books, with drawings, collage, embroidery, and other decoration.

Handmade journal with red threads coming from pages.

By SandraYK. “ROD journal - side view.”

Gratitude journals become beautiful memoirs and keepsakes that you can return to in later years.

Open gratitude journal with rainbow painting, writing and photo collage.

By creativelenna. “page24b.”

Read more about Beautiful Leaves all this week on BeautifulNow, including 10 Reasons to be Thankful for Travel. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Journal page with doodled message: “You Always Had the Power.”

By denisedaysmith you always had the power

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