Hokie Health: Nourish your well-being by cultivating a gratitude practice

From: Hokie Wellness

Gratitude is defined as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” We often think of gratitude as a thing that we do, and it certainly can be. However, even deeper than that, it is an internal state of being, cultivated by practice.

Living life with a foundational perspective of gratitude affects the way that we view and move through adversity, helps us focus on what we have instead of what we lack, and compels us to intentionally call out the good in others when we see it. Quite simply, gratitude can transform us from the inside out. 

Cultivating a consistent gratitude practice is also connected to many health and well-being benefits such as greater happiness, improved sleep quality, increased feelings of engagement in the workplace, and more. Research suggests that practicing gratitude regularly may also strengthen the neural pathways responsible for the release of serotonin and dopamine, two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for regulating our emotions. 

Learn more about the transformative power of gratitude and get started with the resources below:

• Thnx4 is a digital, self-directed gratitude journaling platform that teaches people how to strengthen habits of gratitude. This tool was created by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Participants are invited to set up a Thnx4 10-day or 21-day guided gratitude challenge within the platform.
  
• Practice the Three Good Things exercise to tune into the positive elements of your life.
  
• Try gratitude meditation, a simple practice of reflecting on the things in your life that you are grateful for.
  
• Watch Christina Costa’s compelling TED Talk to learn more about how practicing gratitude can rewire the brain. 
  
• Listen to this podcast from The Science of Happiness podcast to learn how to cultivate gratitude to combat burnout in high-stress jobs.
  

Hokie Wellness serves Virginia Tech to foster a healthier community by providing prevention services, education, outreach, and resources to employees and students. If you have questions, need assistance, or want to join the Hokie Wellness Google group to stay up to date with monthly updates, contact the team at hokiewellness@vt.edu.