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Although Thanksgiving is officially over for 2015, let us not forget that we should not wait until next year to express our gratitude.

“Expressing gratitude every day is like singing a love song to your soul”

Last week, I was listening to the health segment on Morning Edition of National Public Radio (NPR). They were interviewing Dr. Mills who had just completed a study on gratitude.  The patients in the study were those that had heart failure. It was found that those who expressed gratitude had a better mood, slept better and had less fatigue. It was also found that the markers in the body that showed inflammation were also decreased. The conclusion was that gratitude improved the health of those with heart failure.

We have always known that gratitude had a positive impact on people’s health, however it is always a plus when we have scientific studies that continue to support this.  The thought is that by expressing gratitude we reduce stress in our life. By reducing stress, we are able to decrease the hormones in our body that causes inflammation and that in return improves our health.

Consider getting a small note book and writing down three things you are grateful for each evening before you go to bed.  When you wake up, review what you have written. Try it for a week and see how you feel. I know for me, it is my lullaby to bed and my song in the morning.