SAN ANTONIO — Thanksgiving is just a week away. A time to be thankful for friends, family, and many of the things we take for granted daily.
The Oxford Dictionary says gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
THE QUESTION
Is it true that expressing gratitude can improve both your mental and physical health?
THE SOURCES
- Dr. Anne-Kathrin Eiselt, a Teladoc Health applied behavioral science director
- The Mayo Clinic
- UCLA Health
THE ANSWER
WHAT WE FOUND
"If we improve our mood, we might be more motivated to do the things we enjoy," Eiselt said. "And leads us to be more grateful. So it can be this reinforcing feedback loop."
The Mayo Clinic says the benefits of being thankful include improved sleep, mood and immunity, a decrease in depression, lower anxiety levels, and a lessening of chronic pain and risk of disease.
When it comes to UCLA Health, they say research shows practicing gratitude for 15 minutes a day, five days a week, for at least six weeks can improve mental health; it can also positively affect your physical health.
Seventy studies were reviewed including more than 26,000 people. The result: a higher level of gratitude and lower levels of depression.
So yes, it is true. Expressing gratitude can improve both your mental and physical health.
Eiselt also told us setting aside a few minutes of the day to think about things we are grateful for or even journaling about it, can give us a jump start to a New Year's resolution.
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