Does gratitude improve health? Dr. TG Day, MD
Thanksgiving is a great time to remind us of being grateful. Does being grateful lead to being healthier? Scientific studies have shown that an attitude of gratitude can improve health by decreasing cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone that is released during stressful times.
- Increased cortisol levels can lead to suppressed immunity. When immunity is suppressed, it makes the body vulnerable to illnesses and diseases.
- Increased cortisol levels can increase blood sugar, and lead to Diabetes Mellitus, as well as kidney, eye, heart disease, leg and foot problems.
- Increased cortisol levels can lead to High blood pressure, which can cause heart disease and strokes.
- Increased cortisol levels can decrease the quality sleep. If the body is not getting enough sleep, it can lead to a decline in health.
Take time to give thanks daily to decrease your cortisol levels!
When we give thanks for the blessings that we have, we allow more blessings to flow to us. Being thankful is not about comparisons. It is about saying thank you, for example, for being alive, having oxygen to breath, and being able to think.
During this week of Thanksgiving, let’s practice daily gratitude. Each day, thank God for at least one thing, seven times during the day. Note how you feel at the end of each day.