When we can express gratitude and reap greater benefits all through the year, why stop with showing our gratitude on one day of the year on Thanksgiving? The word 'Thank You' might be one of the commonest terms known by all but the main question is whether or not we use it as much as it needs to be used. Even during prayers, we tend to point out our concerns and ask for favors rather than counting our blessings. But now, we even have scientific research showing that showing gratitude by being thankful and appreciating the little things that we have keeps us and those around us healthy mentally and physically.

Gratifying Health with Gratitude

How does gratitude work in favor of our mind and body? It blesses us with ample psychological and physical benefits:

Emotional Benefits

In general, people who express gratitude are much happier comparatively, have positive emotions, better self-esteem, optimism, and psychological wellbeing. Such individuals are at a lower risk of depression, stress, and other toxic emotions such as envy, frustration, and suicidal thoughts at bay, mainly because they are busy counting their blessings rather than pointing out the negativities surrounding them.

We become less self-centric and materialistic, and focus more on being spiritual (which in turn increases our gratefulness quotient) and make the right decisions.

Social Benefits

We are intertwined with society obliging culturally and socially to the norms and regulations. A simple thank you for someone who opens the door at a restaurant or delivers your food at the doorstep cheers up the individual and makes us more likable by those around. The grateful you are, the higher are the chances that you have a better social network, a larger group of friends, and a lasting relationship with near and dear ones.

Acknowledge other people's role in your life to make them and yourself feel good. Improve better access to social support, deal with difficult situations in life, and enhance the quality of the relationship with your spouse by showering the people you meet every day with gratitude whenever and wherever needed.

Physical Benefits

Grateful individuals appreciate that their body's the only place they have got to live and extend better care to their body exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet. Such healthy lifestyle habits equip these people with a strong immune system, a healthy heart, and reduced blood pressure. In turn, they are at a lesser risk of pain and aches. Want to sleep as cozy as a baby? Spread the joy of gratitude to everyone who has made a positive difference every day in your life.

Spread the Joys of Gratitude

Showing gratitude doesn't mean that you have to go around thanking everyone around you. There are simple ways in which you can make your life and that of others brighter and better.

• Anytime you feel irritated or stressed, reflect on the right things that happened and count your blessings for all the positive situations
• A hearty 'Thank You' note to someone who has made a positive impact in life improves your relationship with that person. At times, it is even good to write a note for yourself for all the joy and love you have spread
• Even if you cannot write or read a 'Thank You' note, it clicks well and boosts your spirit when you thank someone in your mind for all the nice stuff that they have done
• As a family, you can use dinner time to share your gratitude toward someone who has made your day just better

Enjoying the fruits of gratitude might take time, but it surely has a lasting impact on your brain, improving mental health multifold times.