Soar to Success November 2020

What if there was just one thing you could do each day that would improve your physical and psychological health, open the door to new relationships while improving existing ones, increase your mental strength and even help you sleep better? Sound too good to be true? Turns out, being grateful can have all these positive health effects and more. Studies show practicing gratitude can lead to more intimateandconnected relationships, less depression, more motivation and engagement, and better overall mental well-being. Here are a few proven facts that will make you wonder why we celebrate it only one day a year. 1. Gratitude opens the door to new relationships and enhances existing ones. According to a 2014 study published in Emotion thanking a new acquaintance makes them more likely to seek an ongoing relationship. So whether you thank a stranger for holding the door or you send a quick thank-you note to that co-worker who By Joan Washburn Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude helped you with a project, acknowledging other people’s contributions can lead to new opportunities. Also, being thankful for the important people in your life is more likely to be reciprocated. Mutual appreciation for each other often results in a more satisfying relationship. 2. Gratitude improves your physical health. Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains. They report feeling healthier than other people, according to a 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences. Not surprisingly, grateful people are alsomore likely to take 5