Gratitude is defined as feeling thankful and appreciative of other people or aspects of life such as nature. It comes from the Latin root gratia, meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. Actively being grateful on a daily basis has been shown to have benefits not just for the person you’re thankful for, but for you! Research by Emmons & McCullough published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (click here for article) showed that having 201 undergrad psychology student participate in two-weeks of daily exercises to help them be thankful and “count their blessings” increased daily levels of happiness. In addition, they were more likely to have helped someone with a personal problem or offer them emotional support. Want to be more grateful in your own life? Read more research on gratefulness at Dr. Emmons’ research lab website.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus