Research shows that gratitude is associated with being happy. Counting our blessings increases our optimism and relieves stress. Due to these, gratitude meditation became popular.

If being grateful brings you more joy, why reserve it for just one day a year? Why not do it every day?

This is where gratitude meditation comes in. It is a new tool with gratitude at its core. It comes from the concept of expressing and cultivating appreciation every day.

Are you more curious about gratitude meditation now? Don’t worry, because we did the research for you.

In this article, we’ll talk about gratitude meditation and its benefits.

What is Gratitude Meditation? 

As its name suggests, gratitude meditation is about reflecting on the things in your life that you are grateful for. It is appreciating your loved ones, pets, or even nice weather.

Gratitude meditation involves small, big, tangible, and intangible things. There are no bounds to what you can be thankful for.

Benefits of Gratitude Meditation

Here are the benefits of gratitude meditation:

1. It reduces anxiety and depression.

Dr. Robert Emmons, an expert in the science of gratitude said that gratitude reduces anxiety and depression. In particular, being grateful takes you out of entitlement. It also helps you connect to something bigger than you― whether it be nature, a higher power, or other people.

In addition, gratitude meditation helps you get out of a loop of worry and fear. It’s because gratitude shifts your perspective, allowing you to break free.

2. It helps you cope better with problems.

For years, research has revealed that gratitude plays a huge role in overcoming trauma.

For one, a study showed that people who are more grateful had lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorder. Moreover, another study showed that gratitude greatly contributed to resilience after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Hence, having an attitude of gratitude― despite your problems― makes you overcome them more easily.

3. It helps you build relationships. 

Appreciating what you have makes you realize how blessed and lucky you are to have relationships. It also helps you create trust and strong relationships.

A study found out that thanking people makes them more likely to be your friend. So whether you thank a stranger for holding the elevator door or sending a thank-you note to your colleague, an attitude of gratitude leads to many opportunities.

4. It boosts your self-worth.

Gratitude meditation improves your self-worth. A study revealed that gratitude increases self-esteem. Another study showed that gratitude prevents social comparisons.

Instead of being jealous of people who have more money, grateful people appreciate their own achievements. Consequently, their self-worth increases.

5. It enhances your sleep.

Gratitude also helps you with your physical health― particularly your sleep.

According to research, practicing gratitude meditation before bed improves your sleep. Spending at least 15 minutes being grateful before bed can help you sleep better and longer.

Conclusion

Gratitude meditation makes you stronger, more confident, and better at treating others. Having an attitude of gratitude is indeed one of the easiest ways to improve your life.

Download Gratitude Poster to practiced focused meditation with the support of daily prompts. Happy meditating!