WHY WE CARE ABOUT AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

At Wellness Collective we say it all the time – EMOTIONS ARE CONTAGIOUS.

And when it comes to workplace wellness, we very much care what vibes people are putting out and therefore others are picking up. Supporting your teams with the development of an attitude of gratitude creates a powerful ripple effect; one we think your leadership will just love!

Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier (or it’s thinking they can’t feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met). Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack (i.e. abundance mindset versus scarcity mindset). And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.

Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California and one of the foremost authorities on the topic of gratitude in North America, indicates that gratitude is not merely a positive emotion; it also improves your health if cultivated.

The health benefits of a daily gratitude practice are many:

Physical

  • A stronger immune system

  • Lower blood pressure

  • Sleeping better and longer; waking up feeling rested

Psychological

  • Higher levels of positive emotions

  • Feeling more alert

Social

  • Being more helpful, generous and compassionate

  • Feeling less lonely and isolated

There are a variety of ways to cultivate gratitude at both work and home through simply daily rituals or the creation of new workplace norms.

Unsure where to begin? Let us support with you with programming around cultivating an attitude of gratitude, activities for random acts of kindness and other team building tools!

Author: Katy Tombaugh

Katy Tombaugh