This week on The Motivational Intelligence Podcast, Sean Johnson and John Casey take a deep dive into gratitude and all of the happiness it brings. Successful people are often very happy people, but why is that? It is likely that they are practicing gratitude daily. While gratitude is mentioned very frequently during this time of year, many studies and research show that making a daily habit of practicing gratitude can be a completely life-changing experience. Even something as simple as keeping a “Gratitude Journal” where your write down everything you are grateful for each day can reduce negative feelings and change your mindset.

There are seven key benefits of gratitude:

1. Better Relationships– the more grateful and appreciative you are towards someone, the stronger and longer lasting the relationship will be.
2. Improved Physical Health– The more grateful you are, the more physically well you will feel. You will also be more likely to work out and do check-ups more frequently.
3. Better Psychological Health– Gratitude decreases the likelihood of feeling negative and toxic emotions, such as frustration and resentment. It reduces the chance of feeling depressed or anxious as well.
4. Enhanced Empathy and Reduced Aggression– People who practice gratitude are less likely to push back when receiving negative feedback and have more empathy and understanding towards other people.
5. Better Sleep– Studies show that practicing gratitude can help you sleep better and longer, simply by writing in a “Gratitude Journal” before going to bed.
6. Improved Self–Esteem: Gratitude helps boost self-esteem and also reduced the need to compare yourself to others. It is easier to admire someone’s accomplishments instead of resenting them for doing well.
7. Increased Mental Strength- Studies have shown that gratitude can decrease stress and help overcome trauma. Even during difficult times, you are able to find the silver lining.

These seven benefits are explored and discussed in great detail during this week’s episode. Sean and John share their own experiences with practicing gratitude and how it has impacted their lives. They also discuss several small but powerful things that you can do every single day to practice attitude and overall, become a happier, more fulfilled person! Check out “Episode 27: Gratitude: Strength Training for the Heart” and let us know what you think on social media!

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