Novant Health: Practicing gratitude benefits overall health, heart
Thanksgiving is less than a week away.
It’s a day all about giving thanks and showing gratitude, which is something experts have said is good for your overall health.
Dr. Jonathan Fisher, a Clinical Cardiologist at Novant Health, said the benefits of practicing gratitude are almost too many to name.
Though, he said, it can help prevent heart attacks and heart disease.
Dr. Fisher said people who practice gratitude tend to have lower blood pressure and get a better night's sleep and explained that research shows people who are more grateful usually have better health outcomes and reduced levels of inflammation in their hearts.
From sharing appreciation to someone verbally, sending them a gratitude text, or journaling about what one is thankful for at the end of the day, Dr. Fisher said people can practice gratitude in many different ways.
“People who bring gratitude, even to difficult situations, tend to receive more openness and gratitude from other people. Strengthen their connections, which by itself is also good for the heart, and has its own host of benefits,” Dr. Fisher said.
Instead of scrolling on social media before bed, Dr. Fisher said to pull out a notepad or the notes app on a phone, and write things down that one is grateful for. He said the whole exercise can take just about 1-2 minutes.