Wellcast Lecture: The Importance of Gratitude

Introduction

• Host: Kate from Wellcast
• Topic: Importance of expressing gratitude
• Objective: Explore how gratitude can increase happiness

Hedonic Treadmill

• Humans tend to stabilize at one level of happiness
• Exciting activities provide temporary happiness but don't change the baseline
• We often take happiness-inducing factors for granted

The Science of Gratitude

• Key Researcher: Dr. Robert Emmons, UC Davis
• Findings:
  • Expressing gratitude can increase happiness and overall well-being
  • Study involved 300 participants divided into three groups:
    • Group 1: Wrote daily lists of things they were grateful for
    • Group 2: Wrote daily lists of things that annoyed them
    • Group 3: Wrote about random topics
  • Group 1 reported higher well-being, better sleep, and more exercise

Practicing Gratitude

• Exercise:
  • Use a journal to list "Things I am grateful for"
  • Optional: Use three columns for people, places, and things
  • Spend 5 minutes each night adding to these lists
• Phase Two:
  • Express gratitude out loud or in writing
  • Draft a letter thanking someone for a particular thing on your list
  • Potentially invite the person to dinner to thank them in person
  • Record your feelings after expressing gratitude

Benefits of Gratitude

• Helps get off the hedonic treadmill
• Increases general sense of well-being
• Positive impact on physical and mental health

Conclusion

• Take time to reflect on and express gratitude
• Action Items:
  • Keep a gratitude journal
  • Write a gratitude letter
• Engagement:
  • Share your gratitude journey with Wellcast via Twitter, email, or comments
  • Encourage feedback and sharing of personal experiences

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• Contact:
  • Twitter: @WatchWellcast
  • Email: [email protected]
• Next Steps:
  • Continue practicing gratitude exercises
  • Join the next Wellcast session for more wellness tips