"Do you feel grateful? Write it down. Think about it. Talk about it. 'Tis the season of thanking, and not only will you spread those positive vibrations to those around you, your health will benefit, too.
For those who tend to be more Grinch-ish than grateful, there's some hard evidence that might make you want to turn that frown upside down. A positive outlook and feelings of thankfulness can have a direct and beneficial effect on the brain and body.
"If [thankfulness] were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system," said Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center.
While the act of being thankful is not a substitute for a proper medical diagnosis and treatment, Doraiswamy said it's certainly a strategy that can be used to enhance wellness.
Studies have shown measurable effects on multiple body and brain systems, said Doraiswamy. Those include mood neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), reproductive hormones (testosterone), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine), inflammatory and immune systems (cytokines), stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, blood pressure, and blood sugar." -Mikaela Conley
Perhaps this explains why those who are focused on all the blessings of life, who view everything as a gift from God and live in an attitude of gratitude, they are often more healthy, happy, and blessed. Ungratefulness will eat away at you and destroy, not only your relationships, but also your life; physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. God has given us so many innumerable blessings, we have all of our life time to enjoy them and thank Him for them.
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melody Beattie.
"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thes. 5:18
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God: it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” –Psalm 100
"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thes. 5:18
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God: it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” –Psalm 100
No comments:
Post a Comment