DUBAI: The power of gratitude has often been referred to as a staple of good karma as well as positive and happy mental state.
There is actually more to it, though as the University of California in Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) has established, stating that “regularly expressing gratitude literally changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps the gray matter functioning, and makes us healthier and happier,” said a report published on Ideapod, a social media platform.
“When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. You are more peaceful, less reactive, and less resistant. And gratitude is the most effective practice for stimulating feelings of happiness,” read the article.
Ideapod cited a study on gratitude conducted with adults suffering from congenital and adult-onset neuromuscular disorders (NMDs), with the majority of people having post-polio syndrome (PPS).
Compared to those not jotting down what they’re grateful for every night, participants that did express gratitude felt more refreshed each day upon wakening. They also felt more connected with others than did participants in the group not expressing gratitude, it was found out.
Still another study, said Ideapod, didn’t require a gratitude journal, but looked at the amount of gratitude people showed in their daily lives. In this study, a group of researchers found that higher levels of gratitude were associated with better sleep, and also with lower levels of anxiety and depression.
