WHY WE SHOULD ALL PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Webster defines gratitude as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness".  

Gratitude is beneficial for many reasons.  Being thankful shouldn't be something that only happens on Thanksgiving.  The mental benefits alone should be motivation enough to daily count your blessings.  Focusing on the positive things in our lives can reduce feelings of envy, resentment, frustration and regret according to gratitude researcher, Robert A. Emmons, PhD.  

Practicing gratitude is also good for your physical health.  According to a study done by the University of California San Diego's School of Medicine, found that grateful people had healthier hearts, specifically less inflammation and healthier heart rhythms.  They also showed less fatigue, a less depressed mood, and better sleep.  It was pretty much the opposite of your body feeling stressed.  

Professionally, don't you like being around people that are talking excitedly about things that are going well rather than the people who are always complaining?  I don't think being a positive person in any way makes you weak or less effective at work.  If anything, It helps build better relationships by showing appreciation for others, and taking action instead of focusing on the negative.  

And lastly, in our personal relationships, gratitude and appreciation go along way.  Basic manners, such as "thank you" show that you are not taking something for granted.  Why do some people feel grateful in challenging circumstances and some people spiral into discouragement? Keeping things in perspective and managing our expectations will help make gratitude a daily habit when faced with the little day to day annoyances of life.