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Gratitude and Serving Others Benefits our Work & Home Lives

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Research supports what we already knew — focus on what is good, on small kindnesses, and serving others improves our brain health, mental health, physical health, and our day-to-day work and life experiences.

Operating from a place of service and gratitude means choosing daily to focus attention on what is kind, helpful, and moves things and people forward.

Gratitude is not about turning a blind eye to difficulties. It’s about approaching difficulties from the perspective that, even in the midst of challenge, there is much one can do and appreciate.

Gratitude softens and connects us to each other, to beauty, and to larger good. on the physiological effects of practicing gratitude show that thankful attitudes and focus correlate strongly with improved social ties, deeper trust, more stable careers, increased motivation, and higher rates of happiness across cultures and demographics.

6 Characteristics of Grateful People

Surprisingly, appreciation for the people and opportunities that surround us promotes gratitude for our own accomplishments and what we have to offer. Appreciating our humanity and appreciating those who’ve helped and taught us increases our health and happiness. Six characteristics of people who actively focus on service and gratitude include:

  1. Accept themselves and others: Grateful people find enjoyment and learn from diverse environments and people.

  2. Show increased resilience: Grateful people don’t avoid setbacks or life’s difficulties. They frame setbacks as part of a larger process that will work out.

  3. Are specific: Thankful people know and note the value of small moments and gestures. They think in terms of specifics and are tuned in to detail.

  4. Help others: show higher rates of volunteering and are more helpful to others. Consequently, grateful people receive more help from others.

  5. Are encouraging: suggest that grateful people motivate others to engage in positive, healthy activities.

  6. Are healthier: Grateful people exhibit lower stress , lower rates of depression, better coping skills, and report better sleep, fitness, and satisfaction with life.

Maintaining appreciative regard for ourselves and others, for ordinary days and small moments, and focusing on what we can do for others correlates with improved relationships, increased motivation and engagement, and our own increased happiness.

Upgrade your work, your relationships, your sense of self and your connection to people and causes beyond yourself by shifting toward service gratitude today.

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