Gratitude Effects Health and Happiness?

[tenni]

Since it is Thanksgiving for some, this may be an interesting point of discussion.

"Gratitude leads people to act in virtuous or more selfless ways," said DeSteno, whose research was published earlier this year in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. "And it builds social support, which we know is tied to both physical and psychological well being."

Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California, Davis, said those who offer gratitude are less envious and resentful. They sleep longer, exercise more and report a drop in blood pressure, said Emmons, who wrote "Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier."

Brenda Shoshanna, a New York psychologist, agreed.
"You can't be depressed and grateful at the same time," said Shoshanna, the author of "365 Ways to Give Thanks: One for Every Day of the Year." "It makes a person physically, mentally, in every way healthier."

The above quote comes from a yahoo report on a study about the role that being grateful plays in a person's willingness to help others and be happy. It stated that those who express gratitude more than once a year are happier and healthier despite their actual physical health. It gave the example of a man in his 80's who fell sick with colon cancer, and at 86, he has an artificial hip and arthritis in his knees. He still gives thanks, though, and researchers say that appreciative attitude can be good for you, too.

Academics have long theorized that expressions of thanks promote health and happiness and give optimism and energy to the downtrodden. Now, the study of gratitude has become a surprisingly burgeoning field, and research indicates being thankful might help people actually feel better. There's a catch, however: You have to say thanks more than just once a year.
ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/health-fitness/articles/body-mind/cp/home_family-researchers_find_that_regular_gratitude_can_promot e_health_happiness

Are you grateful for your life?

Do you express this gratitude more than once a year?

Do you believe that this will help you enjoy life better?

[quiet1fornow]

I am not sure if I am not seeing or the only one not seeing the "trick" question here?? I am extremely grateful for my life...has it been perfect? Not sure that grateful and perfect are not the same choice....or only choice(s) if that be the case!

My favorite movie is "Pay It Forward" obviously I had to wait until late in my life for a favorite movie....I also had to wait until late in my life to understand how grateful I am/was for being here! Now...having said that I have had two "white light" moments in my life the handing to me of my daughter in the hospital for the first time.....and realizing the love I feel/felt for my SO about two years ago!

These were my white light moments..the dark side exposures of life were the death of my Mother and suicide of my Pledge Brother and then the darkest...the overdose of my wife!

I believe we do have a path we need to travel...so after the loss of my wife I was able to evaluate my path, its beauty as well as stones and as pot holes....the beauty over all as well as the darkness have brought me to where I am in my life...a good place!!

Do I celebrate it more than once a year....damn straight I do....every day I thank the people that work for and with me...I tell my SO how I am honored to be with her and my daughter I love her and how proud of her Ai am....I try to sign out of chat most of the time with a thanks for the chat....I want people to know I appreciate not only the fact that they allowed me into their lives but for what that gave me in return many -fold...


Does this help me enjoy my life...damn straight it does!!
It is not about the sex or sensuality even it is about communication and intimate exposure of one to others and the understanding/comprehension of that wonder , natural process ... it is about what you give but more what you do with what you get......

There are far too many here I cannot individually thank them..I would leave someone out and that is a crime....just know that when I greet you it is to touch you for a second when entering chat not to rip off your clothes more to recognize how happy I am you have come in to share for a while...

tenni, I am doubtful I really answered or did not stray way off track here...this is what I felt when reading your post....hope it either helps or gives some value...if not please try to refrain from calling 911 for me to escorted anywhere!

Q:cool:

[tenni]

quiet1ornow

Well, I found the idea easy enough to agree with but I do not express my gratitude more than once a year as far as I can recall. I am grateful for my life without actually focusing on the exact reasons why. I don't focus on negativity or worry that I don't have this or that either though.

I did experience a difficult period in my life at one point when I lost my ability to walk for awhile. I became aware of that common ability of being able to walk. I became more sensitive to those who live their entire life with not being able to walk or difficult to walk. I knew what it felt like not to be able to get my muscles to do what I wanted them to or even stop them from doing what I didn't want them to do. I was positively determined that I would get better and did basically. No one can tell that I have a disability that remains from that period but I did fall and break my ribs about eleven months ago. That fall was connected to what is a permanent disability that I am usually able to work around. It was a painful reminder of something that hangs over me if I'm not careful. I am also aware that I may end up in a wheelchair one day but can ignore it until /if it happens. I don't feel the deep gratitude that maybe I should be grateful that I am not in a wheel chair. Except at moments of reflection as now as I type this.

The 86 year old man referred to who had difficulties and yet was grateful for what he did have is interesting. The idea that by being grateful and expressing it leads to a person to act in more selfless ways towards others is another interesting aspect that seems a bit alien to me. Although, I doubt that anyone who has not lost their ability to walk can fathom how deep my empathy was for those who are more permanently and visibly impaired. That deep empathy faded but when I see a person who finds walking difficult such as cerebal palsy, I do feel the empathy and thankful that I am able to walk again. I guess that I should be doing something to show my gratitude according to the theory?

[quiet1fornow]

in many ways, as I have told many here....I lost my life when the loss of my spouse.....not competitive with lost of mobility or any other idea....but I have had the fortune of finding it again and even parts of it I had no idea I had lost....I am not sure if that is indeed what you meant or not tenni....to me it makes sense ...finding lost parts of oneself! So...daily I meet people that have lost their life as well...some know it and are searching ....so many do not and that is really what I hope to change each day....

I cannot imagine what you may have gone through...or may in the future, as you indicate...I can only tell you that a loss...a true loss is debilitating, period. It seems if I read it correctly you made conscious decisions to find your way back....I feel I did also.....even though not remotely the same circumstances. I refer back to my favorite movie and that premise, " Pay It Forward." Or perhaps it is my interpretation of the definition of grateful is more shotgun approach....I am warmed/encouraged to know that, not you suffered but that you triumphed and recognize your journey

For me, some of those lost parts were always there...some I chose to ignore....so when I wake up and I am allowed to breath in the day....ok...ok, let me say I am NOT a morning person....so I am not Doris Day or Debbie Lee jumping out of bed, hair done and make up on...( in fact I never have hair done or make up done) but I take in where I am, with whom I am awakening and what the day as I see it will or should bring and what I hope to present it back....and I am grateful I will have that opportunity for the length I will!