Gratitude for Self-Care

Gratitude – the state of being grateful; thankfulness [1]

With the holidays upon us and the end of the year rapidly approaching, many of us will reflect on the moments, experiences, feelings and individuals that evoke gratitude. Sadly, the holiday season can also be rife with overspending, difficult memories or social isolation. The powerful feeling of gratitude can not only enlist emotions of contentment and satisfaction, gratitude can positively impact our well-being.

When we practice gratitude, hormones and neurotransmitters are released which help sustain the feeling of positivity. Feelings of positivity help guard us from adversity, as well as help us make healthier choices. Research is abundant on the benefits of practicing gratitude:

• Reduction in stress and depression [2, 3]
• Promotion of physical health and well-being [4]
• Fosters improved sleep [4]
• May improve your body image [5]
• Fortifies relationships with others [6, 7]

Practicing gratitude can be integrated easily. For example, as little as five minutes a day expressing or meditating on gratitude can promote self-care. Writing a short list of individuals, strengths or things you are thankful for, morning or night, is a healthy way to start or end your day in a positive, peaceful way. Writing a thank you letter is another form of practicing gratitude. If you are not feeling particularly grateful, sit quietly with your thoughts to connect with a source of gratitude, even if that means just being grateful for another day. With time and practice, gratitude becomes habitual.

With gratitude in mind, OBI BioAesthetic Institute is grateful for each and every one of our patients. We consider it an honor to partner with you in your care. Thank you for a wonderful 2019. Happy Holidays!

OBI BioAesthetic Institute invites you to bridge the best you, from the inside – out. Call today (904) 273-5454 to schedule your personalized Aesthetic or Integrative Medicine consultation with Gerrie M. Obi, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CPSN.

¹ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratitude.

² Matvienko-Sikar K, Dockray S. Effects of a novel positive psychological intervention on prenatal stress and well-being: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Women Birth. 2017;30:e111-e118.

³ Sirois FM, Wood AM. Gratitude uniquely predicts lower depression in chronic illness populations: A longitudinal study of inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. Health Psychol. 2017;36:122-132.

⁴ Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;84:377-89.

⁵ Dunaev J, et al. An attitude of gratitude: The effects of body-focused gratitude on weight bias internalization and body image. Body Image. 2018;25:9-13.

⁶ Health Resources & Services Administration. The “Loneliness Epidemic”.

⁷ O’Connell BH, Killeen-Byrt M. Psychosocial health mediates the gratitude-physical health link. Psychol Health Med. 2018;23:1145-1150.