By Kayla DeKraker
Thanksgiving is almost here, but did you know practicing gratitude is far more than a seasonal ritual? It’s a healthy habit backed by science that can reshape both our minds and lives.
“We have so much research and data, again, to show how effective gratitude can be,” psychiatrist Dr. Katie R. Thorsness told CBS News. “When we practice gratitude, there’s different neurotransmitters that are released in our brains, so the happy hormones or the happy neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin. That can really shift our networks in our brain to see the world through more of a positive tone.”
She explained that it’s okay for your gratitude to look different than others, as long as you’re practicing it.
“Everyone’s gratitude practice can look very different. Usually, where I start, I say start small. It doesn’t have to be big, grand gesture,” she said. “Maybe, before bed, writing down three things that you’re grateful for that day. This is a tool that everyone can use — kids, adults, everybody — and it’s free. And it really can shift and change the way that our brains operate.”
A study from UCLA Health revealed that “practicing gratitude — 15 minutes a day, five days a week — for at least six weeks can enhance mental wellness and possibly promote a lasting change in perspective. Gratitude and its mental health benefits can also positively affect your physical health.”
Related: 10 Family Movies That Instill An Attitude Of Gratitude
Not only does thankfulness improve mental health, but it might also benefit physical health.
“Prior research has shown an association between gratitude and lower risk of mental distress and greater emotional and social wellbeing. However, its association with physical health is less understood. Our study provides the first empirical evidence on this topic, suggesting that experiencing grateful affect may increase longevity among older adults,” Ying Chen, a research scientist, told Harvard.
A 2016 study performed on adults with the average the age of 79 found that those who expressed gratitude on a “Gratitude Questionnaire” had a 9% lower mortality risk.
Being grateful is simple.
“Try saying out loud: ‘Today is going to be a great day,’” Dr. Rangan Chatterjee said in an Instagram post with Dr. Daniel Amen. “It’s a simple habit that can set a positive tone for your day and nourish your mind from the very start.”
For Christians, being thankful also deepens our relationship with God.
The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
“Paul’s words are both invitation and instruction,” Pastor Jason Elder wrote in a recent reflection on the verses. “When we choose gratitude in the morning, we begin to see the world differently. The day’s interruptions become reminders of God’s presence. The challenges become opportunities for trust. Gratitude doesn’t demand perfection; it simply notices goodness and names it aloud.”
Thanksgiving’s real gift isn’t just the turkey and pumpkin pie; it’s the opportunity to acknowledge the good things God puts in our lives. By practicing gratitude not just as a holiday tradition but as a regular habit, we can strengthen our lives physically, emotionally and spiritually.
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