[HWPL Peace Education Textbook 5: Being Grateful for Kindness and Grace]
[5-2] The Benefits and Advantages of Gratitude
◆Learning Objectives
1. Understand
that gratitude begins with remembering the blessings we have received.
2. Understand
the benefits and advantages of gratitude.
3. Learn
concrete ways to practice gratitude.
◆Gratitude Brings Us Many Benefits
Gratitude offers
various benefits and advantages to our lives, making us mentally and physically
healthier, helping us form good relationships with others, and making us
happier. It also helps us overcome difficult situations.
1. Gratitude Makes Us Healthier
Research shows that people who express and practice gratitude have fewer physical illnesses and better sleep quality than those who do not. Good sleep quality means better stress management, which positively impacts mental health.
A study conducted in May 2015 by researchers at the University of Stirling in Scotland involved psychological and health tests on 186 adults. It found that those who had a positive perception of their surroundings and were grateful for their lives had a one-third lower risk of heart disease and a 1.4 times higher average immunity.
How does gratitude affect our bodies? Advances in neuroscience have allowed us to measure brain activity when people feel grateful. Observations show that the brain's blood flow is significantly higher when a person is grateful compared to when they have negative thoughts.
Increased blood
flow means improved brain function. Gratitude also triggers the release of
oxytocin, a hormone known to reduce fear and pain and alleviate stress.
Oxytocin has antidepressant effects and promotes kindness and generosity. Thus,
gratitude is physiologically linked to better health through increased blood
flow and hormone secretion.
Image from Pixabay |
2. Gratitude Enhances Relationships
Maintaining good relations with various members of society is challenging due to differences in appearance, personality, background, and values, which can lead to misunderstandings and prejudices. Expressing gratitude helps prevent conflicts. When you say "thank you," it opens the other person's heart and creates a favorable impression.
Exchanging expressions of gratitude builds bonds and intimacy naturally. Since gratitude needs to be expressed to be felt, it's essential to actively show gratitude. Expressing gratitude shows support and makes the other person feel happy. Here are some examples of expressing gratitude:
- "Thank
you for your help."
- "I
appreciate your kindness."
- "I'm grateful for your support."
Expressing
gratitude makes people happy, and this happiness spreads. A study shows that if
you're happy, your friend is 15% more likely to be happy, your friend's friend
is 10% more likely to be happy, and your friend's friend's friend is 6% more
likely to be happy. A small expression of gratitude can create a ripple effect
of happiness.
Image from Pixabay |
3. Gratitude Changes Perspectives and Helps Overcome Adversity
Ludwig van Beethoven, known as the "Immortal Beloved," began losing his hearing at 28 and was nearly deaf by 32. He contemplated suicide in the village of Heiligenstadt but eventually accepted his reality and resolved to continue his music career with gratitude. This decision marked the beginning of his golden era, with compositions like Piano Sonatas No. 2, 7, 10, 13, and 14, and symphonies like "Eroica," "Fate," and "Pastoral."
The finale of Symphony No. 6, "Pastoral," known as the "Song of Thanksgiving After the Storm," reflects the comfort he found in Heiligenstadt's woods. Thus, the "Pastoral" Symphony is also called the "Gratitude Symphony." Despite total hearing loss, Beethoven relied on his inspiration to create masterpieces that continue to touch hearts.
Gratitude can be
a driving force to control and overcome difficult situations. You don't need
favorable circumstances to feel grateful; even in despair, focusing on
gratitude can reveal things to be thankful for, helping you overcome adversity.
Image from Pixabay |
Beethoven inscribed "The Joyful Feelings Upon Arriving in the Countryside" on the first movement of the "Pastoral" Symphony, capturing the peace of the countryside with repetitive motifs. The second movement, "By the Brook," uses a tranquil melody in the first violin with low-pitched strings imitating the flow of the brook. Later, the flute, oboe, and clarinet represent birdsong, adding to the pastoral atmosphere.
The third,
fourth, and fifth movements depict "Joyful Gathering of Country
Folk," "Thunderstorm," and "Shepherd's Song—Grateful
Feelings After the Storm" respectively, seamlessly connected to create a
dramatic narrative. The fifth movement's variations on a theme of gratitude
bring the symphony to its climax.
◆Reflection
1. Recall a time
when you expressed gratitude to someone. Share who you thanked, how you
expressed it, and the benefits and advantages that resulted.
2. Research and
present examples of overcoming despair through gratitude.
3. Express
gratitude to someone with whom you have misunderstandings or are not close.
Observe how their attitude toward you changes and discuss the effects of
expressing gratitude.
Image from Pixabay |
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