As we celebrate the holidays, we also celebrate all the wonderful people and things we have in our lives. We know showing gratitude can make others feel good, but did you know it can have positive benefits on your own wellness and beauty? In the spirit of giving thanks, we’d like to share with you how simple acts of saying “thank you” can positively impact your physical and mental health by producing feelings of pleasure and contentment.
Strive to find things in your life that you can appreciate each day. You can write them down in a gratitude journal or just keep track in your mind. Whichever way you feel most comfortable, practicing gratitude will enhance your outer and inner glow!
See what positive effects gratitude can have on your happiness and productivity:
Increased Happiness
When we express or receive gratitude, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that enhance our mood and make us feel happier. If we continuously practice gratitude in our day-to-day lives, these neural pathways will actually strengthen to create long-lasting feelings of positivity. Exchanging words and acts of thankfulness creates such a rewarding feeling of joy, who wouldn’t want to experience that this holiday season? As you shift from focusing on the negatives to focusing on the positives in life, not only are you letting good emotions in, but you’re also releasing feelings of insecurity and distrust. If practiced regularly, gratitude can have long-term, positive effects on your mental health.
A Boost of Energy
Now that we know gratitude improves mental well-being, we can discuss how it also helps us physically by boosting our vitality and enthusiasm. The release of dopamine increases energy levels and allows us to feel more motivated and productive, especially in a workplace environment. With increased vitality also comes reduced feelings of pain and increased willingness to follow treatment. It’s actually pretty simple: If you’re expressing gratitude for the aspects of your life that matter most, you’ll be more motivated to care for them. For example, if you show high levels of appreciation for your health and wellness, exercising more or maintaining a healthy diet may be a positive result of your gratitude. Gratitude also boosts optimism, which can reflect well on healthier lifestyle decisions.
Improved Sleep
Did you know feeling grateful can also help you sleep better? This is because cultivating gratitude throughout the day results in positive thinking at bedtime, helping you fall asleep faster, sleep longer and have better quality sleep. With a deeper, healthier sleep, you’ll wake up looking and feeling refreshed — ready to tackle the day. That’s right, regularly expressing or receiving gratitude has beauty benefits! That’s because feeling good on the inside reflects on the outside as well. We know all too well how exhaustion can reflect poorly on our skin. But with rest, your body’s cells have time to rejuvenate, revealing a glowing difference on your face.
We encourage you to practice gratitude this holiday season and see what positive effects it has on your health and wellness. For more information and to get started with our team at AVIE! Medspa and Laser Center, reach out today at (703) 870-3844 or request a consultation online!