Are you a grateful person? Do you appreciate what you have? In this article I talk about the importance of value the little things and thank by them.
Before you read this article, I invite you to watch this short video in which he gives us one of the keys to being happy.
In the video they tell us that scientists have identified one of the keys to being happier. Do you want to know what that key is? Pay attention to the video:
[I recommend "Be happy over problems"]
You could say that gratitude works like a muscle. If every day we took time to recognize the value of what we have, the feelings of gratitude and appreciation would increase dramatically. In fact, the least grateful people are the ones who would obtain the greatest benefits, if they made the effort to appreciate more what is around them. "Treatments based on gratitude are more effective for those less grateful"says Philip Watkins, professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University.
Currently, gratitude in children is being a field of research whose more recent results indicate that the role of parents is fundamental in promoting this attitude of recognition.
One of the studies that has been carried out in this area, and that will be published this year in the School Psychology Review (Journal of School Psychology), is the one that was carried out with a group of 122 primary school children. For a week, these students followed a curriculum in which they learned concepts related to generosity and the cultivation of gratitude. What happen after? That 44% of the children who were part of this program chose to write thank you letters when given the option, after a presentation by the Parents Association. However, of the control group, it was only 25% of students who chose to write this type of letter.
"The old saying that virtues are achieved, not taught, is what happens here"says Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California. Parents should be role models for their children in this behavior, if you want to create in them the muscle of gratitude. "Although it is an idea that they do not usually like to hear, they cannot give their children something that they themselves do not have"says Dr. Emmons.
“It seems obvious that this molding on the part of the parents is necessary; however, it goes unnoticed by many of them "says Watkins. "I think that the most important thing would be for us adults to begin to realize that we are not really very grateful either ", Anade.
According to research, the simple act of thanking brings tangible benefits. A 2008 study, published in the School Psychology Review, analyzed 221 sixth and seventh grade children. They were divided into two groups and each was assigned a task. The first group was asked to write down, each day for two weeks, five things for which they were grateful. The second group were also asked to make a list, but listing five things that bothered them. The result was that, after those two weeks that the task lasted, the first group showed a more positive attitude towards school and greater satisfaction with their life, compared to the group that had to list five complaints.
Materialism vs gratitude
Internet shopping They allow us to acquire what we want easily and quickly; which makes it more difficult for us to recognize the value of many of these items. “Today, if one of your children wants some shoes, you go to the web, choose size and color and have them at home the next day. They do not get to "want them" or to prioritize other things, just by pressing a button you have them ". Says Willy Walter, director of the firm Walter & Dunlop in the United States.
According to Jeffrey Froh, study co-author and associate professor of psychology at Hofstra University, teens who frequently shop online and successfully receive what they want tend to show higher levels of depression, negative attitude and worse academic results. "Materialism has the opposite effect to gratitude"says Jefferey.
The value of the little things
According to investigators, everyday actions can be even more important than great efforts. "Express gratitude to your partner or your children"says Dr. Hofstra Froh. “Why thank your son for doing something he should do? Because in this way you reinforce him, he internalizes, for example, that he has to clean up his room, and he begins to do it himself "adds Hofstra.
Giving thanks, appreciating what we have and recognizing its value, is something that adults should start practicing.. Maybe we have "teachers" closer than we think ...
"Children have a natural affinity for gratitude and it is often they who teach their parents about it"says Emmons. Source