Giving and Gratitude Go Hand In Hand
‘Tis the season to be grateful! While you gather with family and friends to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast, you will likely be reflecting on the last year and expressing gratitude for all the things you have, no matter how big or small.
Taking a moment like this to intentionally practice gratitude may seem like just another holiday tradition, but it actually has a number of health benefits ranging from improved physical health to increased feelings of optimism. However, there is another benefit of gratitude that researchers have only recently discovered – an increased desire to give.
In fact, gratitude and altruism are strongly connected. Studies have shown that the two share a pathway in the brain which gives them a very deep neural connection. This connection is supported by a part of the brain called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is known to be the brain’s hub for analyzing risk and reward. What’s more, this part of the brain has strong connections to the deeper part of the brain that is responsible for releasing feel-good neurochemicals like serotonin and dopamine. The aforementioned studies also show that partaking in practices like keeping a daily gratitude journal can result in your brain rewarding you more for being altruistic.
All that to say: your brain is wired to become more altruistic when you practice gratitude.
Cicero once said, “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” This could not be more true now that we know about the connection between gratitude and altruism.
With Giving Tuesday and other holidays right around the corner, there has never been a better time to start harnessing the power of this connection, but how can you incorporate more gratitude into your daily life? Here are a few ideas for you:
- Keep a gratitude journal. Whether you prefer to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, set aside some time throughout the week to reflect and write down what you’re grateful for.
- Slow down and enjoy the moment. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, but taking some time throughout your day to slow down and appreciate what each moment brings is a simple way to add a little more gratitude to your day.
- Share what you are grateful for. There is something powerful about expressing your gratitude to others. You can do this in a variety of ways: have a dinnertime discussion about what you are grateful for, pick up the phone and call a loved one to express your appreciation, write and send a thank-you note… the list goes on.
- Find the good in the bad. We all face challenges in life. Instead of letting them get you down, look for something positive to be grateful for. This could be something like a new experience or a lesson learned.
There is no doubt that we should all be making gratitude a part of our daily lives both during the holidays and beyond. Here at New Earth, we want to share that we are grateful for each and every one of you, and we want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you today and every day.
What are you grateful for today? Share it with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. And if expressing gratitude today puts you in the giving mood, you can always add a Give Donation to your next order.