We all know that sleeping well, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise helps to manage and relieve stress. But our mental attitudes can greatly determine how our bodies respond to stress.

Stress Relief: The Science Behind Gratitude

In the findings of the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness, Robert E. Emmons and Michael E. McCullough reported that: ‘Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. The disposition toward gratitude appears to enhance pleasant feeling states more than it diminishes unpleasant emotions. Grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life.’

We are often negative about the things in my life that are ‘wrong’ or ‘need improvement,’ without giving any thought to the things in life that are blessings.  G.K. Chesterson wrote: ‘You say grace before meals.  All right.  But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.’

The wonderful thing about gratitude is that you can start practicing it right now! Here are a few ways that you can make gratitude a part of your daily life:

1. Keep a gratitude journal. Write down three things that you are thankful for. It can be simple things such as chocolate, a pleasant walk, or a dear friend.

2. Do not end the process there. For one minute, ruminate on each thing you are thankful for. Studies show that these pleasant thoughts actually increase serotonin levels in the brain, and an increase in serotonin is helpful for reducing stress.

3. In the spirit of Chesterson, start saying grace before you do things throughout the day, particularly before you eat. This will get you into a mindful state before meals, which will also help you to eat more slowly and enhance digestion. Mindfulness has been proven to decreases and prevent stress.

I started keeping a gratitude journal about a month ago, and I cannot believe how much it has affected my mental outlook. Has anyone else kept a gratitude journal? Does anyone have any tips on how they practice gratitude and/or maintain a positive attitude?