Spread health benefits of gratitude this winter

PROVO — People of all ages can enjoy real health benefits through the expression of a simple virtue. Research shows gratitude has a direct effect on the mind and the body.

Jason Conover, a licensed clinical social worker at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychology Clinic, said the casual “thank you” is nice, but making gratitude a regular practice is much more beneficial.

“A chemical and physical change occurs in the brain by being grateful,” Conover said, “Research using P.E.T. scans of the brain showed significant increases in blood flow and activity in the frontal area of the brain after practicing daily gratitude for 30 days.”

Conover said people may think about gratitude and express it more at this time of the year, but it’s better to maintain this practice throughout the year. As people do, the health benefits follow. Gratitude has been proven to increase positivity in a person’s system. This decreases stress levels which benefits nearly all aspects of health, including blood pressure, blood sugar, heart disease, depression, and anxiety.

“People who express gratitude tend to take better care of themselves,” Conover said. “Gratitude helps us all control our stress levels, eat healthier, sleep better, and boost our immune systems. Almost nothing makes life better overall than showing gratitude.”
Just like an athlete becomes skilled at a sport, individuals can train their brains to see the positive. Conover said one way to start is to “notice the positives, the beautiful or the miraculous, and keep a gratitude journal.” Studies show after about a month of practicing gratitude, the brain will start to change. Different parts of the frontal cortex become more active, and it gets easier and easier to see the good.
Conover suggested three S’s that may help with practicing gratitude: slow, savor and seek. “First, we must slow down and actually recognize the things we are grateful for. Next, we need to savor the moment and not let today’s world affect it. Last, it’s important to seek out opportunities, be curious, and notice new things, especially with others,” he said.

Conover also believes gratitude is contagious, and as society continues to show increasing signs of dysfunction and discontent, it’s one thing the father of seven hopes everyone will pass around.