Social scientists have been interested in the impact of gratitude in the lives of people from around the globe. They have found that gratitude can have positive social, emotional, and health benefits.

Below is a list of just a few of the benefits reported by scientific studies. The list was originally compiled by the folks at Happier Human. Check out the original list for links to the research studies. (LINK TO https://www.happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/)

Studies found that people who practice gratitude:

• Have increased self esteem
• Are more optimistic
• Are kinder
• Have more friendships that are deeper in nature
• Feel more relaxed
• Have happier memories
• Are less self-centered
• Show increased productivity at work
• Demonstrate better decision making skills
• Experience better sleep
• Have increased energy
• Exercise more

One study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that:

“Grateful people report themselves as being less materialist and less envious. In particular, grateful people report being more willing to part with their possessions, more generous with them, less envious of the material wealth of others, less committed to the idea that material wealth brings happiness. Apparently, material success is not a very important factor in the happiness of highly grateful people.”

This finding is especially relevant to the field of early childhood education, where salaries tend to be lower than other fields. It can be easy to slide into negativity due to the financial challenges that being part of this field presents. Cultivating gratitude for the people, events, and opportunities in our lives can help us maintain a positive perspective on our lives.

For the main article Cultivating Gratitude, CLICK HERE

For the article Things to be Grateful For, CLICK HERE

For the article Strategies for Adults, CLICK HERE

For the article Introducing Gratitude to Children, CLICK HERE