“People who live the most fulfilling lives are the ones who are always rejoicing at what they have.”
- Richard Carlson, PhD
When we take a few moments to express our appreciation inwardly or to another, immediately we begin to feel happier, more relaxed, more optimistic.
A sense of appreciation is an important part of a positive outlook, and research indicates that a positive attitude is essential to the success of peak performers in both the business and sports worlds.
Studies also provide evidence that a positive, appreciative attitude enhances the body’s healing system and general health.
So, from time to time spend some seconds and ask yourself the following question:
“What’s one thing I’m grateful for?”
When you ask yourself that simple question, you see your cup as half-full. Anything else would be icing on the cake.
And instead of focusing on the I-have-to’s, the question drives you to embrace the super-sexy-sweetness of your life.
What are the psychological benefits?
Scientists at the Institute of HeartMath have discovered that thoughts and even subtle emotions influence the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
This is significant in that the autonomic nervous system interacts with the digestive, cardiovascular, immune, and hormonal systems. Negative thoughts and emotions tend to create autonomic nervous system imbalance while positive ones encourage physiological balance and strength.
Interestingly, of the numerous positive thought patterns tested by the Institute of HeartMath, appreciation appears to have a particularly strong effect in quickly enhancing the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, resulting in improved hormonal and immune system balance and more effective brain functioning.
HeartMath researchers also have discovered that when an individual engages in thoughts of appreciation, almost immediately his or her heart rate variability smoothes out, indicating heightened psycho physiological coherence – a state associated with reduced stress, increased emotional stability, high performance, and a range of health benefits.
The cool side-effects?
Physician and author Christiane Northrup explains that when you hold feelings of thankfulness for at least 40 to 60 seconds, beneficial physiological changes take place in your body.
Levels of the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine decrease, producing a cascade of beneficial metabolic changes. Coronary arteries relax, thus increasing the blood supply to your heart. And your breathing becomes deeper, raising the oxygen level of your tissues.
And when you think of one thing that makes you thankful, another one pops up. And another, and another, and another – until you fully appreciate what a sweet life you really have.
So, the template to get you started is:
“I’m thankful for this ____”
It will take you less than 60 seconds to complete this task. Try it out for yourself. And remember, gratitude is the best approach to life.
If you liked this article, please bookmark it on del.icio.us or vote for it on Digg. Thank you!
Cindy
Awesome. XD I love this blog.
December 6, 2006 at 5:54 pm
the best 60 seconds « finding mimo
[...] i’m grateful for my health. i may not have the hottest body or fastest brain, but i’m glad that it all works relatively well. i’ve watched friends and family and i know my health won’t be perfect forever. one day i will remember my health today with a soft sigh and a smile at my naivete. comfort of the body is underestimated. i’m also grateful for people who bother to be concerned about me and my well-being. i’m amazed when someone recently told me i was a priority. and yesterday, i spoke with my dad. when i told him about my recent break-up, he didn’t seem too concerned. but he did say, make sure you find someone, being alone is no way to live. that kind of love makes me cry. all i want to do is return this kind of love, and make sure i support my friends and family in any way i can, even if it’s just little things to make them more comfortable. [...]
December 6, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Viji
Ririan, another simple topic explained well
. Gratitude – Its in my breath – every second I am thanking God – who has given me this second life – Few years back I touched the death line and came back 
Good Expeirence? 
Viji
December 6, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Ririan
Cindy, Thank you
Viji, Lisa Aspinwall, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Utah said:
“There tends to be higher levels of optimism among people who have faced losses early in life or who have suffered, suggesting that adversity can promote personal growth over time.”
So, I guess that experience only made you even stronger.
December 7, 2006 at 3:40 am
cwiz
Thank you for your awesome blog. Great, really great work
.
December 7, 2006 at 3:54 am
Ririan
cwiz, Thank you!
And by the way, I don’t know how to thank you enough guys for your kind comments. I feel I’m already getting tremendous rewards from blogging, and it’s just been less than 4 months since starting this blog.
I wake up each morning with a big smile on my face, looking forward to reading your comments and writing new posts. Even the food I eat tastes better than before.
So thank you guys for being so great
December 7, 2006 at 4:12 am
ScottMW.com
My 5 Top Blogs This Week…
Personal Development for Smart People – Steve Pavlina
At first, my interest in this blog was purely informational. Then I started noticing a specific post where Steve mentions how much money he makes every month (a post which he updates w…
December 7, 2006 at 6:48 am
Alexandra
I sent a link of your blog to all of my coworkers, and I think your blog is very helpful. I hope you come to see my blog sometime too.
December 7, 2006 at 7:22 am
Raoul
“I’m thankful for the ability to read this perfectly nice blog from you, Ririan.
)
If anybody reading this plans to visit munich…this is your friendly city guide…
Raoul.Menzel add web.de
December 7, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Judith
This is so very true. I remember hearing similar advice not too long ago when I was going through a slump. Just taking the time to be grateful really opened my eyes and immediately made me feel much better. Suddenly, problems were no longer overwhelming and solutions were revealing themselves.
December 7, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Ririan
Alexandra and Raoul, thank you and I will visit your websites for sure
Judith, Melody Beattie said:
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
So, keep exploring the benefits of gratitude.
December 7, 2006 at 3:56 pm
George
I’m thankful I discovered this blog. Great entry. I’m already feeling better just thinking about the benefits of thinking positively.
December 7, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Ririan
George, thank you!
And remember, happiness is a result of a decision to be happy; your emotions and feelings are created by your own thoughts. If you choose to feel better, you will.
December 8, 2006 at 4:41 am
Ankh
Great and great site. I guess I love most of your entries.
Thank you for sharing!
December 8, 2006 at 10:00 am
Ririan
Amkh, thank you for reading
December 8, 2006 at 10:19 am
mkdirusername
This is how I feel gratitude. I experience the beauty in the moment. I am a cynic by temperament. And although motivated by a desire to grow and learn, this desire is pushed by ignorance and lack. Lack of knowledge and completeness.
So what’s left is the moment in which nothing else needs to take place except for an appreciation of beauty and gratitude for being able to experience it. Hence, I can feel sane because on some unsuspecting moment something beautiful can grasp your attention and you can laugh.
Gratitude is the only option available.
December 9, 2006 at 11:28 am
安可 » Blog Archive » 怎样最好的花掉60秒
[...] （摘选翻译自： http://ririanproject.com/2006/12/06/how-to-best-spend-60-seconds/）☥ [...]
December 9, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Ririan
mkdirusername, ‘experience the beauty in the moment’ – I like that.
The color of the sky, the sound of water from the spring, the scent of growing grass and mouldering leaves, the breath of fresh air – everything is soaked in the unbearable beauty of the moment and vanishes before you can blink, but that will be with you forever. So try to feel life in every single moment and be grateful you can.
December 10, 2006 at 2:12 am
Arjun
WOW(to say the least)….finally an awesome site…..keep posting ‘coz we love the stuff on this site!
January 19, 2007 at 11:10 am
Ririan
Arjun, Thank you for you kind words!
January 23, 2007 at 11:37 am
Mukul
How very true. I had a difficult childhood and agree that i can withstand shocks much better. And positive feelings always is helpful
March 7, 2007 at 6:15 am
Keith
Impressive, that’s one word describe what i feel right now. Thanks for writing this post Ririan.
I’m happy for reading it.
May 5, 2007 at 8:54 pm