Stress, Be Gone!

Ah... here we are, again. A time of year when we like to reflect on what we need to be grateful for. There are many reasons we should be thankful, but what if the ramifications for being appreciative ebbed and flowed into other areas of our life? What if a state of thanksgiving helped reduce stress and the chaotic environments that try to strangle the life right out of us? If there was a solution to stress so simple that it involved nothing more than feeling thankful for the good things in your life? In fact, there is. That solution is called gratitude.

Studies have shown that people who regularly practice feeling thankful have a leg up when it comes to their health. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, has been a leading researcher in this growing field, termed “positive psychology.” His research has found that those who adopt an “attitude of gratitude” as a permanent state of mind experience many health benefits.

Professor Emmons lists some practical behaviors that might ease the tension and stress of life, especially over the holiday season. Here are a couple that are easy to do.

Be Mindful of What You Have
You may assume that those with more material possessions have more to be grateful for. However, research suggests otherwise. Edward Diener, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, found that a high percentage of affluent people in Japan report low levels of life satisfaction, just as those living in poverty in India do. These findings suggest that it’s not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have that makes the difference. It's not having what you want, but wanting what you have. Contentment is such an excellent state to live in!

Keep a Gratitude Journal
Recording what you feel grateful for in a journal is a great way to give thanks on a regular basis. Emmons found that those who listed five things they felt grateful for in a weekly gratitude journal reported fewer health problems and greater optimism than those who didn’t. A second study suggests that daily writing led to a greater increase in gratitude than weekly writing. When things are written down, it is easier to be more mindful of them. Think of this as a grocery list for your soul.

Reframe Situations as Positive
It’s not actually a challenging situation that is upsetting. It’s how you perceive the situation. The next time you find yourself complaining about life’s hassles, see if you can mentally “flip the switch” to frame things differently. For example, rather than getting down about missing an opportunity, try to see the positive side. You might now have more time to direct towards other priorities.

So there you have it... Some practical ways to relieve stress while being grateful at the same time.