Want to know about something that can completely change your health and boost your business?

Oh, and here’s the best part, it’s free, accessible at any time, and can physically make you feel more rested!

When we think of improving our health, we often think of nutrition, exercising, paying attention to our daily stress, and trying to get better sleep. Right?

If you are paying attention to these areas, congrats! You’re ahead of the game! But, many people stop at diet and exercise and forget this seriously powerful practice!

Okay, you’re probably dying to know what I’m talking about, so here it is.

This powerful tool for health and success I’m referring to is the practice of gratitude!

Gratitude is way more than just a mindset shift. Years of research on the topic of gratitude prove that it is the key to psychological and even physical well-being.

So cool, right?

Did you know that gratitude stimulates two areas of the brain? It stimulates the area of the brain that regulates stress and another area that affects the brain’s reward system and produces feelings of pleasure.

Who wouldn’t want to feel more pleasure and less stress? #truth

And get this — a recent study on Positive Psychology and Gratitude Interventions showed a gratitude intervention increased positive affect, subjective happiness and life satisfaction, and showed a reduction in negative affect and depression.

It just keeps getting better!! Here are three ways gratitude can improve your health and your business!

3 WAYS GRATITUDE CAN SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS

1. HAPPY HEART

Gratitude may be good for your heart!

Studies show people with emotions related to gratitude have improved heart rate variability.

Heart rate variability is an indicator of good heart health.

Additional studies reveal that people with structural heart damage had lower levels of systemic inflammation when they practiced daily gratitude for eight weeks.

2. SLEEP LIKE A BABY



Gratitude may help you sleep like a baby!

Studies show that the practice of gratitude can positively impact sleep.

In a study of 401 people with 40% reporting sleep impairment, the more grateful people reported falling asleep more quickly, staying asleep longer, feeling they had better sleep quality, and seeing an improvement in daytime wakefulness.

I suggest reviewing a list of things you’re grateful for while you doze off into dreamland!

3. A POWERFUL BRAIN BOOSTER



Gratitude may improve your mental health.

The people of one large study were seeking mental health counseling for issues related to depression and anxiety.

Within four weeks to 12 weeks after participating in gratitude writing and counseling, this group reported improved mental health.

I told you — gratitude is seriously powerful stuff!

IN CONCLUSION

All research aside, gratitude makes you feel like a superhero!

Writing down one to three things of which you are grateful for daily can take your focus off of the stressors of the day and replace them with feelings of joy and happiness!

Giving thanks for things little or big can have this effect on your health and business. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, big either!

It can be as simple as a compliment, a smile from a stranger, or the cool breeze that just blew through your hair.

Practice looking for these moments of gratitude throughout your day.

Whenever something happens, and you feel the instinct to complain, to yourself or out loud, think of something you are grateful for instead.

Practice these thought-stopping moments, and watch your life transform.

Looking at the bright side or seeing your cup half full is not a hopeless romantic’s way of seeing the world. It is a way of life to which we all have access.

Tell us something you’re grateful for in the comments below!