What did science discover about gratitude?

Gratitude is an emotion we experience when we are aware that we have received something valuable. As such, it leads us to recognize and appreciate others and the good things we have in our lives. And although it was always more circumscribed mainly to philosophy, little by little it began to be considered as an object of study both from a broad spectrum of positive psychology – a field of psychology that focuses on the study of emotions, thoughts and positive behaviors – and from a neuroscientific perspective. In this sense, more and more research is telling us about its benefits for mental and physical health, the relationship with others and the quality of life in general. Here we tell you about some of them. Gratitude, “not only the greatest of virtues but the mother of all others,” Cicero would say, is understood in philosophy as a virtue or a moral quality that involves recognizing and appreciating the gifts and blessings we receive. Some philosophers argue that it is essential to living a full and happy life, as it helps us recognize and appreciate what we have and connects us to others; Still others argue that it helps us live more just and equitably, as it forces us to recognize that we depend on others and that we have a responsibility to be grateful for their actions and gifts. For the Bible, it is an attitude of recognition and thanksgiving toward God and others for the blessings and good things we receive. “Thank God in any situation, for this is what God wants of you as believers in Christ Jesus,” says 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Whereas for evolutionists, being grateful is a primary ability, an evolutionary advantage that helped us survive as a species, to create social bonds. Finally, for psychology, gratitude is that positive affective state resulting from having perceived that one has been benefited thanks to something or someone in a selfless, supportive and gratuitous way; It is associated – but not equivalent – with more studied constructs such as optimism, hope, vitality, empathy, life satisfaction and happiness. And it depends on the approach we take, the benefits we find. For example, many studies find that people who practice gratitude report consistent benefits ranging from emotional stamina and improved physical health to having a positive impact on professional development and dealing with others. The UCLA Comprehensive Care Awareness Research Center explains that it literally changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps gray matter functioning, and makes us feel healthier and happier. While other studies found that giving thanks and counting blessings can help people sleep better, reduce stress, increase academic motivation, reduce the risk of heart disease and reduce symptoms of depression in some people. In early 2018, moreover, a study found that keeping a gratitude journal decreased materialism and strengthened generosity among teens. At the level of the affective, a study published in Personal Relationships It proved that it is a fundamental aspect of relationships. Expressing gratitude, they explain, is the most important predictor of stability and well-being, which cushions other not-so-positive aspects of the relationship and gives greater strength to the bond. Couples in whom gestures of gratitude are frequent are less likely to separate. Last but not least, neuroscience also made its contributions by explaining what happens in the brain when we feel gratitude. In dialogue with BBC Mundo, Manuel Vázquez-Marrufo, professor of the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Seville, points out that, on the one hand, studies that with neuroimages address gratitude from the point of view of the brain’s reward system, which helps us identify what we like, motivate ourselves and recognize positive aspects of our environment; and from mentalization, the mental processes of how we perceive our life.” These are the fundamental elements to nurture a structure that will decide if a stimulus makes us be in a state of gratitude, “he says. This is the anterior cingulate cortex in its perigenual region. “The connectivity of that area with the structures linked to reinforcement and mentalization is what makes us experience the feeling of gratitude. It seems like that’s the region of the brain where that sensation occurs.” The reward gives you a positive reinforcement and then, through the evocation of memory, motivates him to make certain decisions that influence his behavior, “adds psychiatrist Dori Espeso, professor at the University of Barcelona. If not, how do you practice gratitude? The psychologist Mario Arrimada, graduated in Psychology at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, says that when it is directed towards people, it is mainly articulated towards assertiveness and honest communication: “This usually happens by leaving aside personal differences, formalities or other aspects that usually interfere with direct communication, and leaving the comfort zone expressing our feelings about an action that we liked. We have to open up and show part of our vulnerabilities, tastes, sensibilities, etc.” And he adds that we can also learn to apply it to more abstract aspects of life that make us feel good, “showing full attention to the present moment, focusing on every detail perceived by the five senses and trying to enjoy that moment, leaving aside the melancholy for moments of the past that cause us sadness and also the moments of the future that cause us feelings of restlessness and nervousness in the face of uncertainty.

Original source in Spanish