5 raisons de pratiquer la gratitude pour réduire le stress

We all have those moments of panic when we feel stressed and overwhelmed by events. While it’s impossible to completely eliminate stress, practicing gratitude can help reduce the impact.

Aside from its impact on stress, there are many reasons to practice gratitude, and in this article we’ll cover five of them. Without further ado, let’s look at this in detail.

The different phases of stress

In stressful situations, our heart rate and blood pressure increase. We may also experience physical symptoms like headaches, chest tightness , and stomach pain.

Our body’s response to stress takes place in three phases:

• During the alarm phase , the body considers action and releases hormones that prepare us to fight or flee a perceived threat. This gives us the energy and strength we need to cope with the stressful situation.
• The resistance phase is characterized by a sustained state of high alert, as we attempt to cope with the demands of the stressor.
• The Exhaustion Phase : If the stressor persists beyond our ability to cope with the situation, we enter the exhaustion phase. At this point, we can no longer maintain the high level of alertness and energy required to cope with the stressor. This phase is characterized by feelings of fatigue, irritability and hopelessness. It can also lead to mental and emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Why practicing gratitude can help reduce stress?

Decrease stress hormones in the body

Gratitude can help reduce stress levels in our bodies. Research has shown that gratitude can indeed lead to lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol in the body.

Gratitude also promotes the production of happiness hormones, promoting feelings of well-being and pleasure, which can help reduce stress.

Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression

Gratitude may be an effective way to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to a study published in the journal Behavior Research and Therapy.

The study participants were divided into two groups: one was asked to keep a gratitude journal, while the other was asked to keep a journal about their daily experiences. After four weeks, participants in the gratitude group had significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression than participants in the other group.

Researchers believe that gratitude may help reduce stress by enhancing positive emotions and promoting better social support. Additionally, gratitude may promote better sleep and physical health, both of which are essential for reducing anxiety and depression. If you’re looking for a way to improve your mood, expressing gratitude can be a good place to start.

Strengthens the immune system

Chronic stress weakens our immune system.

A strong immune system is the foundation of good health, providing a first line of defense against disease and infection.

Studies show that gratitude is one of the most powerful solutions to boosting the immune system. Additionally, grateful people also have higher levels of antibodies, indicating a stronger immune response.

Develop empathy

Empathy can reduce stress. The ability to feel empathy is an important human trait. It allows us to understand and share the emotions of others, and can lead to more compassionate actions.

One way to develop empathy is to practice gratitude. When we take the time to appreciate the good things in our life, we open ourselves to more positive emotions. These positive emotions can then carry over into our interactions with others, making us more likely to see them in a positive light and empathize with their experiences.

In a world that often seems filled with negativity, developing empathy through gratitude can be a powerful act of positivity and stress-reliever.

Keep the positive in an experience

Grateful people take the time to appreciate what they have, even in difficult times.

In doing so, they open themselves to a more positive outlook and a greater sense of well-being. When you focus on what’s good, you become more resilient in the face of adversity and better able to handle stress .

Furthermore, gratitude allows you to appreciate good experiences for their true value and reduces the likelihood that you will take your luck for granted.

The next time you’re feeling down, try practicing gratitude by making a list of things you’re grateful for. You may be surprised how quickly your attitude improves.

What to learn from gratitude?

When we experience gratitude, we tend to see the world through more rose-colored glasses. We focus on the positive aspects of our lives and are more likely to be sympathetic and generous to others.

Gratitude can also help us cope with difficult situations because it allows us to appreciate what we have rather than dwelling on what we have lost. Not to mention the many benefits it brings to our physical and mental health, as well as to our relationships.

Sources: American Psychological Association

And you what do you think ?
Have you ever felt that your gratitude
could reduce your stress?
If so, how did you experience it?
Please leave your comment.