Nazca Health

Individual Therapy | 3 min read | 2024-10-28 | 656 Views

Finding Strength in Gratitude: How Appreciation Enhances Mental Health

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Gratitude has proven to be a powerful tool for enhancing mental health, with research showing its benefits for both well-being and resilience. By fostering an awareness of the positive aspects of life, gratitude reduces stress, boosts happiness, and promotes a sense of belonging. This positive shift has physiological effects, like lowering cortisol and increasing serotonin, which aid in mood regulation. Studies have shown gratitude to reduce risks of PTSD, depression, and social isolation, helping individuals, including veterans and single mothers, to build resilience amid challenges. Simple practices, such as noting daily gratitude, can lead to an optimistic, balanced outlook on life.

Fernanda Valdivia

Individual Therapy

Gratitude has gained recognition as a powerful influence on mental health, with growing evidence showing its positive effects on both psychological well-being and resilience. At its core, gratitude is the practice of acknowledging and appreciating the good aspects of life, be they large or small. Research in psychology reveals that gratitude is more than a pleasant feeling; it actively promotes mental health by reducing stress, increasing happiness, and fostering a sense of belonging.

Gratitude helps counter this by encouraging people to pay attention to positive aspects in their lives, which can lead to a balanced and hopeful outlook. This shift has real physiological effects, lowering cortisol levels, which is associated with stress reduction. Additionally, studies have shown that practicing gratitude can lead to increased serotonin production, which plays a vital role in regulating mood2. For instance, a study in the US veteran population depicted how Higher dispositional gratitude was associated with decreased risk for lifetime history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), social phobia, nicotine dependence, and suicide attempts. Moreover, it improved current lifestyle and decreased risk of current mental challenges experienced by the veteran population1.

Additionally, gratitude also fosters stronger social connections. When individuals express gratitude, they often feel more connected and supported by those around them. This sense of belonging helps people feel less isolated and more resilient to life’s challenges. As a matter of fact, qualitative interviews revealed both challenges and strengths of single mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study assessed single mothers' mental health during COVID-19, using a risk and resilience framework to explore how life stressors and gratitude influenced mental health outcomes. Findings were consistent with the idea that gratitude helps individuals find meaning and coherence in life3.

Overall, incorporating gratitude into daily routines can be as simple as writing down three things one is thankful for each day or sharing appreciation with others. Over time, these small acts contribute to an overall improvement in mental health, creating a mindset rooted in optimism and resilience4. Gratitude doesn’t eliminate life’s challenges, but it equips people with a tool for facing them with a more balanced, positive perspective.

References

National Aliance on mental ilness. (2021, January 8). The impact of gratitude on mental health. NAMI California. https://namica.org/blog/the-impact-of-gratitude-on-mental-health/
McGuire, A. P., Fogle, B. M., Tsai, J., Southwick, S. M., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2021). Dispositional gratitude and mental health in the U.S. veteran population: Results from the National Health and Resilience Veterans Study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 135, 279–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.020
Taylor, Z. E., Bailey, K., Herrera, F., Nair, N., & Adams, A. (2022). Strengths of the Heart: Stressors, Gratitude, and Mental Health in Single Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Family Psychology, 36(3), 346–357. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000928
Sherman, A. C., Salsman, J. M., Park, C. L., Messias, E. L., Williams, M. L., Amick, B. C., Hudson, T. J., & Simonthon-Atchley, S. (2022). Relationships Between Gratitude and Mental Health Difficulties During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Southern Region of the United States. European Journal of Mental Health, 17(2), 118–130. https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.17.2022.2.12

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