However, there are instances when you simply do not feel appreciative. Perhaps you have a strained connection with family members, or your holidays are frequently marred by political squabbles. This may make a day dedicated to gratitude tough. And the 20 tumultuous months we’ve all endured aren’t likely to make things any easier. Our faith in those responsible with leading and informing us through the crisis has been damaged, making George Washington’s advice to be grateful for our system difficult to follow. If you think of gratitude as something that happens to you as a result of your circumstances, it may seem out of reach. That, however, is the incorrect approach. Gratitude isn’t a reaction to your circumstances; it’s a state of mind. It’s a way of life. Thankfulness has been proved time and time again to increase people’s happiness. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is part of the brain’s reward circuit, is stimulated. Gratitude strengthens love ties, strengthens friendships, and creates familial attachments that last through times of adversity, making us more resilient and improving relationships. It has the potential to benefit a variety of health indices, including blood pressure and nutrition.
Giving thanks also improves our character. Gratitude, Cicero said over 2,000 years ago, “is not only the greatest, but also the parent of all the other virtues.” He was probably correct, according to modern study. Gratitude can help us be more generous, patient, and less materialistic with others.
