{"id":1514,"date":"2018-12-30T04:12:18","date_gmt":"2018-12-30T04:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ovavirtual.com\/?p=1514"},"modified":"2018-12-30T04:12:24","modified_gmt":"2018-12-30T04:12:24","slug":"the-benefits-of-being-grateful-year-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ovavirtual.com\/the-benefits-of-being-grateful-year-round\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Thankful: The Benefits of Being Grateful Year-Round"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the year is finally coming to a close, many people are looking forward to the new year: after all, it is a brand new start, a new clean slate that everybody is in need of. However, what most of us seem to forget is the importance of reflecting and looking back to the year that has been. While a few would take note of their mistakes, regrets, and things to improve at, it is also essential to evaluate and list down the things you should be thankful for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may\nbe a promotion or a brand new job, or a new home, new car, or additional\nproperty. Some may even be thankful just for good health and the company of\ntheir loved ones and family. Regardless of reason, it is very important to take\ntime and reflect on the things that you\u2019re thankful for in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why\nshould we limit it to just a few weeks in the year? After all, gratitude is a\nmuscle we should strengthen year-round to make us healthier, happier humans.\nIn fact, being thankful is a trait and habit that when practiced in your daily life, can make all the difference on how\nyou see life and how you live life\u2014and science can back it up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a\nscientific perspective, gratitude is an emotion that can result in long-lasting\npositivity. It may even eliminate half or your stress away. According to Robert\nEmmons, a leading researcher, gratitude has two key stages: acknowledging\nthe goodness in life, and recognizing who to thank for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People\ndiffer in feeling and expressing gratitude. Some may say \u2018thank you\u2019 a lot,\nwhile others may steer away from the verbal expression and keep a journal\ninstead, listing down the things they are grateful for in a day. Experts say\nthat keeping a gratitude journal is a healthy practice for your mind and soul.\nIt is a good exercise which serves many purposes, including encouraging calm,\nlowering stress levels and giving new perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratitude makes you empathetic. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s\nno contest to it: gratitude is a selfless act. When you take time and make it a\npriority to give thanks to the people around you, you start to appreciate even\nthe simplest things and acts made to you by the people around you. In fact, it\nmay even lead you to realizing and recognizing what you have that others don’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having\nempathy is very important, especially now when most people tend to forget and\ntake for granted the simple joys they have in life. Many fail to see how much\nthey are blessed with having a roof, having food to eat, being surrounded by\nfamily, and being happy, in a time when almost everything seems to be a\ncompetition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratitude is good for your\nhealth.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According\nto one research, grateful people reported feeling healthier, both mentally and\nphysically. Specifically, those who were grateful were 25% happier than\nthose who weren’t. And this is a very important thing to practice in the\nworkplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many\nstudies have found and linked how the employees\u2019 wellbeing and feelings affect\ntheir productivity and motivation. Researches show that employees who are shown\nthat they are appreciated are more productive by 50%, caring for your\nemployees’ well-being is simply the right thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratitude helps you become more\nself-aware.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratitude challenges\nyou to reflect in the moment instead of always thinking about the future, which\nis a very important habit to practice in a very fast-paced world. When you feel\nand practice gratitude, you pay attention to the small details, on what\u2019s going\non in your life. Self-awareness is a key ingredient to being successful in your\ncareer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gratitude keeps relationships\nstrong.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of\nthe most important and core foundations of a relationship is being thankful.\nPracticing gratitude on the daily helps you strengthen personal and\nprofessional relationships. A study found that people who are more expressive\nof their gratitude towards others also tend to be more forgiving and\nunderstanding, helping them preserve their connections and relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always\nremember that thanking someone or expressing gratitude will not take anything\nfrom you but will help others gain something\u2014be it a sense of pride in what\nthey do, happiness, or even a pat in their back that they are doing something\ngood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the\nsame time, being grateful helps your personality and own wellbeing. Rather than\ncomplaining over the things you can\u2019t control, change, and get, why not just\nthink about the things you have enough of\u2014family, friends, and basic needs.\nKeep in mind that when you are thankful, content and happy for the countless\nblessings that you do have, that\u2019s how life will be for you- content and happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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