Gratitude, a small habit that makes a big difference
What if there was a small habit that helped to enhance feelings of wellbeing, while lowering impatience and frustration? What if this habit was actually quite simple to practise? Nurturing a mindset of gratitude and thankfulness is more important than you might think.
Studies indicate that grateful people cope with stress more effectively, have a better support network, can regulate their emotions during difficult times, and have less impatience.
Elizabeth Hopper, Phd shares, “People’s ability to manage their impatience and wait for better rewards in the future is referred to by psychologists as delay of gratification. It’s a form of emotion regulation that requires people to replace “hot” (more emotional) ways of thinking with “cool” (less emotional) ways of thinking. Among other benefits, people who score higher on a delay-of-gratification test as children tend to be better at coping with stress as adults.”
Replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts is known as cognitive restructuring. We can rewire our brains with habits of gratitude. Research has found that people who practise gratitude tend to be happier and have better mental health.
Writing a note to others is one way to express gratitude. My brother has been writing me notes for years. Time to open the next letter.
Warm Regards,
Valerie DeGraw
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