“A joyful heart is good medicine….” - Proverbs 17:22
Did you know that living in a heart posture of gratitude can be the best “medication” for our spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing?
Feeling thankful can improve immunity, sleep, and mood, as well as decrease difficulty with stress, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. Studies also show that a grateful mindset can positively affect biomarkers linked to risk for heart disease, such as reduced inflammation and improved heart rate variability. (1)(2)
Being thankful causes physiological changes in your body that activates our parasympathetic nervous system; this is part of our nervous system that helps us rest and digest. The body’s response to gratitude is seen in lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and regulated breathing patterns, which helps in overall relaxation. Practicing gratitude can lead to stronger social relationships, deeper connections, and a more compassionate attitude towards others. We are also more resilient and able to handle difficult or stressful situations better when they arise, as we have a better perspective on life.
Let’s dive into some practical ways to practice gratitude on a regular basis in order to get the most of out of this “medicine!”
Make it a Daily Practice
Many people are more mindful of gratitude in November with Thanksgiving right around the corner. What if we chose to think on these things each day throughout the whole year instead of just a season? Create a daily habit to express gratitude and allow it to become a part of your thought process for increased health benefits.
Regularly spend time with the Lord, praising God for His blessings. God is always by our side. He is our strength and foundation. Consider all He has done for us. In this life, we will experience difficulties, loss, and hard days, but even in the midst of tough circumstances, there is always a reason to praise God.
Keeping a gratitude journal is a great tool to record the positives in life. Spend a few moments at the end of each day reflecting on the good, as well as that which might have previously been taken for granted. When we’ve had a rough day, these notes can be something we go back to as a reminder of our blessings. Just as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4 while he was in prison, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!”
Thank You Notes
Another way to express gratitude is to write out a thank you letter and deliver it to someone who has had a positive impact or influence in your life. Be specific, recount special memories, and let them know how much you value your time with them. If a letter sounds daunting, it could be a simple card sent to a friend, or a quick email to a co-worker to say you are thankful for them. Find ways to verbally appreciate others throughout your day; a simple smile is also uplifting and contagious and may brighten someone's day.
Take Action
We can also practice gratitude through acts of kindness toward others. Thoughtful gestures and actions can positively impact a person as well as create deeper connections. Giving our time, resources, kind words, a listening ear, or praying together makes an impact. As we create a habit of thinking of others, our hearts and minds are better able to stay in that posture.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)
Tips from our Medi-Share Health Coaches
- Write out Philippians 4:8: “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Post it where you can see it every day.
- The more we focus on small things for which we are grateful, the easier it becomes for our brains to identify those things more and more.
- Notice the world around you. Reflect on what an amazing God we serve – take a moment to watch the sunset, appreciate the mountains, flowers, etc.
- Go around the table with your family and share something you’re each thankful for that day.
- Starting each morning with prayer and using the template of: praising God first, thanking God second, and requesting last. This helps to make sure we’re not just requesting but starting our prayer time right with praise and thanksgiving, intentionally.
These are just a few thanksgiving suggestions from our team; what could you incorporate into your routine starting today? Let’s not forget to take our “medication” of gratitude each day!
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