“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it.” - Ralph Marston
Appreciation, at its core, is an act of recognising and expressing gratitude for someone’s actions or existence. It is the simple act of noticing the good in others, expressing it, and, in doing so, strengthening your relationships with them.
The act of appreciation is significant in human life because it fuels positivity. It impacts our well-being on many levels, and can make a big difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. It allows us to express kindness, understanding, and empathy, contributing to an overall atmosphere of positivity.
Here are three ways how expressing appreciation improves our well-being:
1. It Boosts Mental Health: Various research suggests that showing appreciation has mental health benefits. It contributes to increased happiness, reduction in depression and stress levels. It also instills a positive perspective, making us more optimistic, resilient and satisfied with life. By acknowledging and expressing gratitude for what we have, we are essentially focusing on the positives in our life, leading to enhanced mental well-being.
2. It Enhances Physical Health: Physical benefits may not be an obvious result of appreciation, but studies have shown that gratitude contributes to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and better sleep. People who are grateful also tend to take better care of their health, leading to overall improved well-being.
3. It Improves Relationships: Expressing appreciation makes us kinder and more approachable. It helps in building and maintaining social relationships. By acknowledging others’ actions and expressing gratitude, we make others feel valued, increasing trust and fostering stronger bonds.
In summary, practicing appreciation regularly is not just good manners, but it's a beneficial practice for overall well-being. It enhances our health, happiness, relationships, and essentially, our lives. By expressing appreciation for the small things in life, we tend to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, resulting in increased positivity and well-being. So let's start thanking those who have made a difference in our lives, acknowledging the good in others, and being thankful for what we have. After all, a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.
As the famous quote goes, Gratitude turns what we have into enough, - Melody Beattie.
© Debbie Huxton
