Cancer Network News Summer 2016

TAKING TIME
FOR YOU
What Science
Can Teach Us
About Gratitude
Jennifer Kilkus, Ph.D
Gratitude is defined generally as a thankful
appreciation of the goodness in our lives. When
life is busy or challenging, it can be difficult to
recognize anything positive in our circumstances.
Many of us have had someone say “Look on the
bright side!” cheerfully, while we roll our eyes or
inwardly groan. Turns out, they’re right. Research
on gratitude has consistently shown a strong
relationship between gratitude and happiness.
Grateful people report higher life satisfaction,
more frequent positive emotions, stronger
relationships, and may be better equipped to
cope with trauma and loss. Gratitude has also
been shown to foster forgiveness, empathy, and
optimism. These benefits don’t end with mental
well-being – gratitude has also been linked with
fewer physical health problems and improved
adjustment to chronic illness. When life is difficult,
it becomes easier and easier for our minds to
filter in the negative. Taking the time to cultivate
gratitude is an easy, and free, way to boost our
happiness.
Try these ideas for growing gratitude:
• Express gratitude to friends, loved ones, and
coworkers regularly. Try writing a short note,
text, or email to someone you appreciate every
day, thanking them for what they do.
• If you don’t have time to write, think about
something nice someone has done for you
and thank them mentally.
• Meditation can provide a space to intentionally
bring awareness to the positives in life.
• Use prayer to express thanks for what you
appreciate.
• Make a point to catalogue events, people,
or circumstances you are grateful for daily,
either by writing them in a gratitude journal
or by sharing them with a loved one. Reflect
on what went right or what you are happy for.
• Learn to let go. Letting go of expectations,
particularly with circumstances beyond our
control, allows us to be grateful for what is,
rather than dwelling on what isn’t.
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SUMMER 2016 • ISSUE 4