At this time of rising pandemic rates, dwindling medical supplies, and the prevailing economic depression, there are examples of some people looking for ways to express their gratitude to those on the front lines of the pandemic.
For example, in many European countries, people express their gratitude to medical staff by clapping from their balconies, and more recently, the same practice has moved to New York City.
In this regard, the researchers studied the relationship between gratitude and wellness.
The relationship between wellness and gratitude
In 2013, psychologist Robert Emmons and scientist Robin Stern explained that gratitude is the appreciation of the good things in life and the recognition that these things come from someone else.
There is a strong correlation between gratitude and wellness. Researchers have found that individuals who express gratitude have a higher level of positive emotions, such as happiness, optimism, and joy, and at the same time, have a lower level of negative emotions, such as anger, misery, and depression, and higher levels of satisfaction with their lives.
In addition, grateful individuals have a better ability to set goals in life, are more tolerant of others, have a better quality of relationships, and even seemingly sleep better.
In short, grateful individuals have more ingredients needed to thrive and grow.
There are many plausible explanations for the clear link between gratitude and wellness. Gratitude may be a positive lens through which the world can be seen. For example, grateful individuals may see the good in others and their attitudes, which leads to a more sympathetic and less critical view of others to themselves.
Grateful individuals can also be naturally inclined to form mutually supportive relationships. When someone expresses gratitude, the other person is more likely to connect with them and build a foundation for a healthy future relationship.
The practice of gratitude has weak implications
On the other hand, there is one critical reticence in this research. It shows that gratitude is linked to wellness, but it doesn't prove that expressing gratitude actually improves wellness.
Psychologists have conducted several experiments to see if expressing thanks leads to increased wellness. For example, some individuals at home may be asked to do practices in which they express gratitude and then disclose how they feel after doing so. These practices include writing a thank you letter or keeping a journal of things that one is grateful for.
Numerous reports over the past four years suggest that these gratitude practices have fairly weak effects on wellness, and these reports aggregate results from multiple different studies, allowing researchers to be more confident that these results are interconnected and reliable. The researchers found that these gratitude practices slightly increased wellness and life satisfaction. Similarly, the effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety was also small.
Express your gratitude for helping others
We are not saying that expressing gratitude is worthless, but we are discussing the idea of not counting gratitude as a self-help tool to increase one's wellness and happiness.
Alternatively, the value of gratitude may be greater if it is a way of honoring and appreciating another person. In fact, researchers have found that expressing gratitude improves relationships for both the person expressing gratitude and the one receiving it, and the researcher and psychologist Sara Algoe concluded in a 2010 study that gratitude acts as a driving potion for romantic relationships.
Expressing our gratitude to the people we hold dear is more important than ever, not only to our loved ones but also to countless other healthcare professionals and others who work on the front lines during this global pandemic.
Add comment