Why you should be Grateful
- elinor harari
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Right before boarding my flight home, I pulled out my gratitude journal. After an intense trip in Vietnam & Thailand, I had so much to be thankful for.
First and foremost, for the precious time I spent with my parents. Over the past few years, I've made it a goal to create more meaningful moments with them, and this trip gave me the perfect opportunity. Being away from my kids and traveling with my sister allowed me to reconnect with my childhood self - to simply be their daughter again, taken care of. It's a privilege not many people have.
I was also deeply grateful for my husband, who encouraged me to go and held down the fort effortlessly while I was away without a single complaint!
Additionally, I was grateful for the treatments and healing experiences that helped me reconnect with my authentic self, open my heart, and see things from a broader perspective.
The chance to revisit East Asia was another highlight. Stepping outside of my usual European travels reminded me how powerful and enriching it is to immerse yourself in a completely different culture.
Taking time to reflect in my journal made me realize just how blessed I am.
Gratitude in all forms is associated with happiness. But not just-
Dr. Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, has found that individuals who regularly practice gratitude experience:
Lower levels of stress and depression
Improved relationships
Deeper and healthier sleep
Reduced pain symptoms
Stronger immune systems
Higher Resilience
Beyond emotional and physical well-being, gratitude also has tangible effects on the brain. Neuroscientific research shows that practicing gratitude activates the brain's reward system, increasing Dopamine and Serotonin levels - chemicals that make us feel good. By consciously practicing gratitude every day, we can help these neural pathways to strengthen themselves and ultimately create a permanent grateful and positive nature within ourselves, making us more resilient in the face of challenges.
Can you believe you can get all that by following such a simple practice?
And the beauty of it?
There's always something to be thankful for. Yes, even in difficult times.
In fact, it's much more beneficial to do it in times of hardship.
So, If you're going through a challenging period, try this: pause for a moment and write down three things you're grateful for. Big or small, they all count. Gratitude won't erase the hardships, but it will shift your focus and help you move through them with a little more lightness.
Cultivating gratitude is a small yet powerful habit. And like any habit, the more you practice it, the more natural it becomes. Whether through journaling, sharing appreciation with loved ones, or simply taking a mental note of the good around you, cultivating gratitude is a small shift that can make a big difference in your well-being.
What's something you're grateful for today?
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