No, that’s not a typo. No, we didn’t push the wrong button.
Instead of a holiday once a year, what if we gave a little “thanks” …every day?
At Custom Powder Systems, we’re a building full of scientists and engineers. We like to see methods and proof. This is why we’re delighted to discover that science has confirmed what many of us already knew: Being thankful is good for your health!
The University of California and the University of Miami published a report called “Counting Blessings Instead of Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life.” That’s quite a mouthful to simply say what Charles Dickens so eloquently summed up:
“Reflect on your present blessings, on which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” – Charles Dickens
Whether you call it “counting blessings,” “saying thanks,” or “expressing gratitude,” many health professionals agree: Being thankful can be just as powerful as any drug in your happiness. In “Counting Blessings Instead of Burdens,” researchers found that “inducing a state of gratefulness through the self-guided gratitude exercises led to some emotional, physical, or interpersonal benefits.”
What this, and Charles Dickens’ quote tells us is that our worries seem bigger because they are the rare standout. We tend to notice dramatic contrasts. If you really analyze things around you, you’ll find most of your day is filled with good things with the occasional “ugh” thrown in there. Because the “ugh” is the oddball, it stands out.
None of this is to minimize the many struggles we all have but to re-organize our thoughts to highlight the good. According to Harvard Medical’s publication “In Praise of Gratitude,” proving a direct cause-and-effect is difficult, nonetheless “most of the studies published on this topic support an association between gratitude and an individual’s well-being.”
What might happen if every day you deliberately noticed the things you’re thankful for?
- A warm cup of coffee
- The shoes on your feet
- A ride to work
- A place to work
- The friend who made you laugh
- The person who held the door for you
- Lunch break
- A warm bed
- Friends, family, and mentors
- A toe-tapping song on the radio
- Your faith and beliefs
- Pie
- Kids laughing
- Hugs
What would you add to the list?
Think of it as “preparing for thanksgiving.” Keep an ever-growing list that you can turn to, and remind yourself of the things you’re grateful for.
Some recommendations from Harvard University include:
- Write a thank-you note
- Keep a gratitude journal
- Count your blessings
- Pray
- Meditate
Even simply saying a mental “thank you” when you think of something or someone in your life that you’re grateful for can make a real impact on your happiness. Try spending as little as 90-seconds each morning and note as many things you’re thankful for as possible. It can be as simple as a bowl of cereal, or as grand as your family and friends.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the impact it has, and it’s guaranteed to have no bad side effects.
We’d also like to take this moment to give a big THANK YOU to you. The customers we get to serve each day is truly a blessing and one we never take for granted. Thanks for being who you are and for trusting us each day.
We hope each day can be a day of thanksgiving for you.
