Now is the time for gratitude!
…not just because it is Thanksgiving, but because people who intentionally incorporate acts of gratitude in their lives experience a multitude of benefits. According to Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at UC Davis, the benefits include:
- stronger immune systems
- more optimism and happiness
- feeling more helpful, generous and compassionate
- feeling less lonely and isolated–and there are more!
In 2020, a year of a global pandemic and social unrest in the US, it is an optimal time to practice gratitude. We need optimism, healthy immune systems, and feelings of connections now more than ever. We need to feel hope and a sense of community.
Dr. Emmons suggests the following practices to intentionally incorporate acts of giving in our daily lives.
- Keep a gratitude journal: Each day, write down things for which you are grateful. Reserving time to note positive experiences, helpful people, and kind actions help you create a culture of gratitude in your life.
By using one of our fair trade journals to record your thoughts, you help an artisan earn a living wage. More reason to be grateful!