According to a 2013 study published in Personality and Individual Differences, people who practice gratitude experience fewer aches and pains. They report feeling healthier than other people.
Grateful people are more likely to take care of their health. They exercise more often, and are more likely to attend regular check-ups with their doctors.
Practicing gratitude helps people sleep better. A 2009 study found that the most grateful people had better sleep quality and duration. They were able to fall asleep faster at night, and also had less daytime tiredness.
The key to obtaining the sleep benefits of gratitude seemed to involve what people thought about as they tried to fall asleep. Those practicing gratitude focused on the positive, while the others were consumed by worries and fears. So mentally counting blessings before drifting off can make it easier to fall asleep.
Common ways to focus on gratitude include making “gratitude lists” or keeping a daily diary focused on the things you are grateful for. These practices keep your thinking focused on the positive!