Why an Attitude of Gratitude can Help Navigate High School—and Life!
What do you have to be grateful for? Come with me as I take a deep dive into gratitude and its importance in high school and life.
Emozi® High School social emotional learning (SEL) includes interactive and hands-on lessons to support teens’ emotional development during a tumultuous time. Everyone can benefit from gratitude in their lives, especially in high school. Continue reading to see what students learn in the Emozi® High School SEL grade 11 gratitude lesson.
WHAT IS GRATITUDE?
Gratitude is defined as giving thanks or appreciation for something or someone.
Gratitude is also being thankful for what you have. It’s a way of appreciating life and the experiences that you have every day. Gratitude is also about acknowledging how lucky you are to be alive and celebrating how far you’ve come in your journey. Your journey doesn’t stop at simply being grateful for who or what brought you into this world—you can apply it to everything else in your life too!
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SHOW GRATITUDE?
Gratitude is a way of thinking, seeing, and connecting with others. It helps us to have a more positive outlook on situations and others around us.
Gratitude helps us understand that we are not in control of everything in our lives, but it gives us the power to choose how we respond to what happens. An attitude of gratitude can lead to more happiness and stronger relationships with others by making them feel valued and appreciated.
WHAT DOES PSYCHOLOGY SAY ABOUT SHOWING GRATITUDE?
There are many benefits to being grateful. For example, it can help us to feel more optimistic about our lives. It also makes us feel more connected to others, leading to stronger relationships. Psychology has shown that gratitude is a powerful emotion that can positively affect our lives.
One article from Psychology Today explains: “Gratitude increases happiness and overall life satisfaction. It helps us feel more connected to other people, improving our relationships. It reduces stress levels by lowering blood pressure and increasing optimism about the future.”
A study in 2003 by Emmons and McCullough called “Counting Blessings” found that gratitude can make us more optimistic about our future. Participants were asked to write five things they were grateful for ten weeks at the end of each week. A second group was asked to write down five things that irritated or were seen as a “hassle” at the end of each week. After ten weeks, the study found that those in the gratitude exercise group reported feeling happier and more optimistic about their lives than those in the second group.
One of the fascinating things about gratitude is that it can be learned. You don’t have to be born with an innate appreciation for what you have in your life. Instead, you can become grateful by making it a part of your daily routine.
HOW DO OTHERS BENEFIT FROM YOUR GRATITUDE?
Gratitude is a powerful, selfless emotion that makes people feel good. In addition to helping you feel happier and more optimistic about your life, it also benefits the people around you. When someone expresses gratitude toward another person, it strengthens their relationship by enhancing trust and increasing feelings of closeness. Think about it: When someone tells us that we have done something special or helped them out somehow, it can feel pretty good, right? It boosts our feelings of self-worth, and we feel a closer connection and appreciation for the person who has expressed gratitude toward us. Thus, expressing gratitude is a win-win situation!
HOW CAN I SHOW GRATITUDE DAILY?
Make a gratitude list.
Write a thank you note.
Say thank you in person, and mean it!
Give someone a gift (or make them dinner).
Tell someone they’re appreciated—and mean that too!
Write a blog post about something for which you’re thankful.
Compliment yourself in the mirror.
Create a gratitude jar or basket and fill it with notes of appreciation.
Sign up for the “Grateful Grams” project at www.gratefulgrams.org (you can also receive one from someone else).
You could even start a Gratitude Club in your office or community to help spread happiness!
Asking others how they feel about their work or offering to help them accomplish something they’ve been wanting but unable to do on their own are great ways of showing gratitude for another person’s presence in your life. And if all else fails? Just tell them how much you appreciate them! Expressing gratitude is one of the best ways we have at our disposal to encourage positivity among our friends, family members, and colleagues.
I hope that you will take the time to practice gratitude. It is important to remember that showing gratitude is not just good for you; it’s also good for others. You can use these strategies in your daily life, at work, or anywhere you need positive energy and motivation!