Why Live With Gratitude?
- Gratitude simply means the act of being thankful & appreciative of what you have.
- Studies have shown that people who practice gratitude, consciously taking stock of the good things in their lives, report more happiness and less stress.
- Anecdotally, doctors say that patients who live with gratitude and a positive attitude tend to respond to treatment better, even in difficult situations.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that his patients who live with gratitude tend to handle treatment better because this attitude is one way to stay mentally healthy.
Read More One reason this phenomenon is often reported anecdotally could be due to the reduction in stress level. Stress and anxiety can lead to physical issues, and practicing gratitude can help get both under control. “The patients who do well with cancer, they live life with that kind of gratitude, but in terms of everything,” he explained. “They’re grateful, not for cancer, but they’re grateful for an opportunity to know that life is finite.” According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, multiple studies have indicated that learning to live with gratitude can lead to more happiness and less stress. One way to exercise gratitude is to take time to think about things you appreciate everyday, and some people find it helpful to write down those things in a journal.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What can I do if I’m struggling to be thankful for what I have in my life?
- Are there local resources for people who wish to start practicing gratitude?
- Do you know of any research on the benefits of living with gratitude?
- What else can I do to help reduce my stress level?
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