5 Ways Practising Gratitude Can Improve Your Life

Our series on simple ways to detox has explored drinking more water, improving our oxygen and ways we can step away from our devices. Our last blog this month focuses on another powerful way we can detox our body and mind – practicing gratitude.

Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you" or feeling appreciative now and then, it is a powerful emotion that goes beyond mere politeness – it's a mindset. The days and weeks can be incredibly busy for woman but we know, if you choose to incorporate actively practising gratitude into your daily routine, it can also be life-changing. 

We asked Nicky Perry, owner of AwesoME Inc and creator of an awesome range of guided gratitude journals, to share her thoughts on why embracing gratitude can transform lives. Let's dive in... 

1. Gratitude rewires your brain’s neural pathways

Did you know that practising gratitude can actually change the structure of your brain? Yep, you read that right. Research conducted at leading University’s like Harvard and UC Berkeley has shown that regularly expressing gratitude can increase the production of dopamine and serotonin, those lovely neurotransmitters responsible for making us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It can be as simple as finding three good things in your life, every morning as you munch on that yummy Te Atatu Toasted muesli.

2. Gratitude helps regulate your emotions

Life can throw some curveballs our way, that’s just a given, but studies have found that cultivating a thankful mindset can lower cortisol levels, aka the stress hormone. By focusing on the good stuff, even during tough times, we can train our brains to handle stress more effectively. Focusing on what is going right, or the lessons you’ve learnt can be hard at first, but if you do it more often you start to see it more often. By doing this you are actually rewiring your brain to challenge the negativity. Next time you feel frazzled take a some deep belly breaths and focus on someone you are grateful for, and see how it makes you feel. 

3. Gratitude can boost resilience

Resilience is like a muscle – it needs regular exercise to stay strong, and practising gratitude is a great way to workout. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that grateful people tend to have the ability to steer through adversity with more ease and confidence. So by acknowledging what you are grateful for can help you weather life's storms with strength, even in the darkest of times. 

4. Gratitude can improve relationships

If you want to deepen your connection to others, gratitude is your secret weapon! Studies have shown that expressing appreciation can strengthen interpersonal relationships and foster a sense of belonging. Whether it's a heartfelt thank-you or a thoughtful gesture, by highlighting the value and impact another person has on your life it will help to improve your bond, and lay a solid foundation for a healthy relationship. 

5. Gratitude has a ripple effect

Yep! Gratitude is contagious. When we express thanks, we inspire others to do the same, creating a beautiful ripple effect of positivity. Simply saying “thank you” to a spouse can create a virtuous cycle of gratitude, where each person feels more appreciated and happy. This also works when others see you being kind to someone else (even a stranger). Not only does it make you feel good but it also gives them a shot of those feel good chemicals in the brain too, therefore making them more likely to be kind to others too. So, spread the gratitude goodness far and wide, you won’t regret it. 

In a nutshell, gratitude isn't just a fluffy feel-good concept – it's backed by solid science, and this is what really drives me to spread the word, and create beautiful products so it’s easy for everyone to learn. If you are interested in finding out more of the benefits, check out more information here.  

And remember, next time you munch on your delicious morning muesli, take a moment to count your blessings and savour the sweetness of gratitude.