It is easy to feel sorry for ourselves with all of the little stressors that daily life hands us. Work is busy; the kids need a lot of your time – the complaints are valid. But we must recognize the benefits of embracing gratitude for the good things instead of dwelling on the bad.
Here are some of the reasons to be happy about what you have!
Better Relationships
Appreciating other people is a great way to build positive relationships. This includes the little things such as holding the door or sending a thank you card after a stressful experience, as well as larger things like watching each other’s children during an emergency. Thank your friends and acquaintances for their actions, and show them their efforts are appreciated.
Improved Health
Gratitude can improve physical as well as mental health. When you focus on the good rather than the bad, your mood is likely a bit better than if you focused on the negative. This, in turn, can lead to an increased willingness to look after your physical health, including regular exercise and regular check-ups. Expressing gratitude can also make us less likely to dwell on regret and frustration.
Lower Aggression
Embracing gratitude can lead to less aggressive responses to negative interactions or experiences. It can also boost your empathy towards other people and allow you to respond to their circumstances with sensitivity.
Higher Self-Esteem
Finally, gratitude can lead to improved self-esteem by reducing social comparisons and making it easier to be happy for other people rather than resentful of their accomplishments.
The team at Crossroads Family Dentistry is grateful for all the patients that trust us with their oral health – and we’d like to give you another reason to be appreciative with excellent oral health care! Reach out to us today!