Gratitude‘Thank’ Your Way to a Healthy Life

It’s a little odd when you think that we need a particular day to remind us to feel thankful. We all need a little reminder to connect with family and friends, and to have a holiday that allows us a chance to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. What if you could find a way to boost your health by being thankful all of the time?

The Science Behind an Attitude of Gratitude

It feels good to be thankful. When good things happen it’s easy to be thankful and express it. Sometimes it can be hard to remember to be thankful for the little things. The routines and schedules take over our lives. Even those who are Zen-minded can forget to be actively thankful. ABC News posted an article on this very thing. In 2011, they interviewed Dr. P Murali Doraiswamy, head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center:

“Studies have shown measurable effects on multiple body and brain systems, said Doraiswamy. Those include mood neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), reproductive hormones (testosterone), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine), inflammatory and immune systems (cytokines), stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, blood pressure, and blood sugar.”

Humans have a negative bias – we tend to let negative events and attitudes outweigh the positive things. This behavior was important to early humans as a survival technique – but we no longer have to worry about being eaten on our way to work!  Today, we have to almost fight against negative feelings and attitudes, especially since we are very sensitive to the energy around us. So, sometimes we have to work extra hard to find that happy place when those around us may be less inclined to have a positive attitude. Mitch Wasden, CEO of Ochner Medical Center in Baton Rouge, noted this very thing:

“…we can’t feel rewards and threats unless we focus attention on them. Many good and bad things happen in our life every day, but until they come to our own attention, we don’t get the neurotransmitter release that allows us to feel good or bad.”

ABC also mentioned that by focusing on three good things every night for a week, you can actually feel the benefits for 6 months!

Meditation: Not Just For “Tree Huggers” Anymore

In the past twenty years, so many more people are realizing the benefits of meditation. . Mind-focusing exercises have become more commonplace. The obvious physical and mental benefits can be seen and felt easily enough. Perhaps you feel your mind is so busy that meditation seems pointless. But meditation is not just sitting quietly and thinking about nothing. You can meditate by simply making thankfulness your mantra! Start simply by taking a moment to think of the obvious things in your life you’re thankful for. Your children, spouse, a good job, and a roof over your head are all good things to acknowledge and be thankful for. As you practice gratitude you will deepen your sense of what you are thankful for. When you share your thankfulness you will be spreading this positive energy. You can actually help another person become actively thankful and live a healthy lifestyle! “Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, regular physical examinations,” (WebMd) Someone who practices having a thankful spirit will also find it easier to get through more difficult times in his or her life. Start today and let your attitude of gratitude carry on beyond the holiday season. You will reap the rewards of becoming actively thankful.  

Applications & Resources for Gratitude

  • Check out what Harvard has to say about being thankful and your health
  • Go to Mind Body Green for an article by Dr. Lissa Rankin on thankfulness
  • Check out the links from ABC and WebMd (in article above)
  • Find ways to compliment your life with a thankful attitude and it will carry you even in hard times.
iGOZEN is a philosophy and a way of life. We believe there should be balance and harmony in all things. By being thankful we remind ourselves what a blessing the Earth is. We, at iGOZEN, create products that show this gratitude and care for our environment. We want to encourage you to find chemical-free, organic products to compliment your thankful lifestyle. Try iGOZEN for your food wash and everyday cleaning needs.