Gratitude: What is gratitude? Why is it so important to be grateful?
Gratitude is one of many positive emotions. It's about focusing on what's good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have . Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, and even computer access. From improved physical and psychological health to relationships to reducing aggression and enhancing empathy, to better sleep, self-esteem, and mental strength —there's no doubt that gratitude can unlock something powerful within you. Research reveals that gratitude can lead to increased determination, energy, enthusiasm, and academic achievement . Why do we struggle with gratitude? Some mental roadblocks to gratitude include feeling impatient, having high expectations, or thinking that the subject is too sentimental . Devoting enough time to practice can help change one's mentality about gratitude. These 3 steps can help you start feeli...