Gratitude – Is it just this decade's fad, or is there scientific evidence that proves it's beneficial? In this month's newsletter, we shared a small story that demonstrated how gratitude can work. But as a busy mum or mumpreneur, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth the effort. If you’re going to try something new, you want the reassurance that it will do you some good. That’s why in this blog post, we’re digging into the science of gratitude.

Gratitude & Life Satisfaction

Over the years, there have been numerous studies that have found positive results from practising gratitude. For example, Sansone & Sansone produced a paper entitled “Gratitude and Wellbeing: The Benefits of Appreciation”. In this, they examined numerous studies into gratitude and found that most of them discovered that gratitude increased life satisfaction and wellbeing among participants. It seems that gratitude puts you into a positive way of thinking and that this can then have positive impacts on many areas of your life. It has even been found that showing gratitude to your partner can improve relationships.

Gratitude & Loneliness

But the benefits don’t stop there. One of the pandemic's biggest impacts has been the lack of social contact with people beyond those we live with. This has resulted in many people feeling lonely. Loneliness is a well-researched area and can obviously have a considerable impact on our mental wellbeing. However, in 2015, Caputo published “The Relationship Between Gratitude and Loneliness: The Potential Benefits of Gratitude for Promoting Social Bonds". In this study, she discovered a correlation between gratitude and loneliness – the more gratitude someone expressed, the less lonely they felt, even when they controlled other variables.

Even though the light is at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the pandemic, that doesn't mean you won't experience loneliness. In fact, it's totally possible to be surrounded by people and feel completely alone. If this is you, then science has proved that gratitude might help improve how you’re feeling.

Gratitude & Children

But it’s not just you that can benefit from bringing gratitude into your daily life. There are now many studies that have confirmed the positive impact it can have on children too. In 2008, research was conducted to look at the benefits of gratitude on early adolescents. The findings were similar to those found in adults and showed a positive relationship between gratitude and emotions such as hope, optimism, and inspiration. Who doesn’t want more of that for their children?

As you can see, there is a multitude of benefits to gratitude for you and your entire family. That’s why making it a part of family life can be such a rewarding experience. In our next blog post, we'll be discussing some of the ways you can do that. For now, if you feel you need some support in using gratitude to improve how you think, do get in touch and ask how I can help.

Start your journey today – achieve confidence, balance and clarity for an easier, happier life!

Empowering Mums is on a mission to empower a million mums and mumpreneurs just like you with greater confidence, balance and clarity to activate your infinite capabilities within! Enabling you to enjoy an easier, happier life alongside running a highly successful business. Aligned with enjoying time out for an essential self-care routine that fulfils your own needs and delight in quality time spent with your children being the mum you really want to be!

For further support please contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 334 015, alternatively visit our website at www.empoweringmums.com for more information.