We know it is Great to be grateful, here is why....
Want to watch a movie? Forget the movie hall, stream it online;
Want to watch a tv show, forget about waiting for the next episode, binge watch it altogether;
Want to buy a dress? Forget about visiting 10- different stores, order it online from any one of the hundred websites available; Want a date? Forget about going out and socialising, just swipe right on Tinder!
You want it? You get it.
No efforts needed, no questions asked.
After all we live in an age of instant access and instant gratification.
However Simon Sinek gives us a reality check. Two things we cannot have instant access to, are good relationships and job satisfaction. They require time and effort. Both of which the millennials are not used to spending.
This way of life, which is normal today, is fueled by the sense of impatience in the pursuit of instant gratification – which is met all the more through technology. As a result of not being able to build relationships, we are turning to machines all the more.
Dopamine – the feel good hormone which is released when one smokes, drinks or gambles, is also released when you get a response on whatsapp or a like on facebook/instagram.etc. Due to lacking social skillset, and an easy access to the social media, more and more people are turning to the devices to seek a feel-good factor.
Now, here is the problem. Anything that releases dopamine can be addictive and anything addictive has the potential to destroy. It has been seen according to research, chronic facebook users suffer from depression more when compared to those who do not use facebook as much. This is again because, our validation now comes from the outside and not from the inside. We are dependent on the virtual reality so much, that the real reality has ceased to exist, ceased to hold value and ceased to be meaningful.
Hence leading us to a situation where we are no longer thankful for the organic beauty of the world around, because we are too thankful in the committed relationship we have with our phones. This very demanding partner keeps us from looking up and looking around, hence stopping us from practicing a particular tenet that has been proved to be the number one way of improving the quality of life.
Being Grateful.
Yes, two tiny but powerful words that has the potential to transform the life you are leading at this particular moment. But for being grateful we need to look up and notice the world around to know what to be grateful for!
Now the question is,
Why be grateful?
1. Dr.Robert Emmons, says practicing gratitude reduces underlying negative emotions and increases the feel good hormones dopamine, oxytocin. The more grateful you are, lesser susceptible to depression you would be. Hence, science shows being grateful makes you happier.
2. Research found that grateful people have increased activity in Anterior Cingulate cortex and Medial Prefrontal Cortex – areas in the brain responsible for buidling bonds and strengthening relationships. Hence being grateful helps you connect, empathize and strengthen relations.
3. An experiment was conducted where one group of people were asked to note down points they were grateful about and another were asked to note down points they wanted to complain about. After a sustained period of time it was seen the first group complained of lesser health issues than the second group. Hence, the positive psychology of being grateful boosts your immune system, reduces stress and literally makes you healthier.
4. According to Forbes magazine, it has been found that being grateful also gives you a career boost as it increases your productivity and enhances decision making skills.
So there you go. I believe we do not need any more reasons to be grateful in our daily lives.
How do you begin? Start maintaining a “Grateful Journal”, and let it work its magic on you.
Want to watch a tv show, forget about waiting for the next episode, binge watch it altogether;
Want to buy a dress? Forget about visiting 10- different stores, order it online from any one of the hundred websites available; Want a date? Forget about going out and socialising, just swipe right on Tinder!
You want it? You get it.
No efforts needed, no questions asked.
After all we live in an age of instant access and instant gratification.
However Simon Sinek gives us a reality check. Two things we cannot have instant access to, are good relationships and job satisfaction. They require time and effort. Both of which the millennials are not used to spending.
This way of life, which is normal today, is fueled by the sense of impatience in the pursuit of instant gratification – which is met all the more through technology. As a result of not being able to build relationships, we are turning to machines all the more.
Dopamine – the feel good hormone which is released when one smokes, drinks or gambles, is also released when you get a response on whatsapp or a like on facebook/instagram.etc. Due to lacking social skillset, and an easy access to the social media, more and more people are turning to the devices to seek a feel-good factor.
Now, here is the problem. Anything that releases dopamine can be addictive and anything addictive has the potential to destroy. It has been seen according to research, chronic facebook users suffer from depression more when compared to those who do not use facebook as much. This is again because, our validation now comes from the outside and not from the inside. We are dependent on the virtual reality so much, that the real reality has ceased to exist, ceased to hold value and ceased to be meaningful.
Hence leading us to a situation where we are no longer thankful for the organic beauty of the world around, because we are too thankful in the committed relationship we have with our phones. This very demanding partner keeps us from looking up and looking around, hence stopping us from practicing a particular tenet that has been proved to be the number one way of improving the quality of life.
Being Grateful.
Yes, two tiny but powerful words that has the potential to transform the life you are leading at this particular moment. But for being grateful we need to look up and notice the world around to know what to be grateful for!
Now the question is,
Why be grateful?
1. Dr.Robert Emmons, says practicing gratitude reduces underlying negative emotions and increases the feel good hormones dopamine, oxytocin. The more grateful you are, lesser susceptible to depression you would be. Hence, science shows being grateful makes you happier.
2. Research found that grateful people have increased activity in Anterior Cingulate cortex and Medial Prefrontal Cortex – areas in the brain responsible for buidling bonds and strengthening relationships. Hence being grateful helps you connect, empathize and strengthen relations.
3. An experiment was conducted where one group of people were asked to note down points they were grateful about and another were asked to note down points they wanted to complain about. After a sustained period of time it was seen the first group complained of lesser health issues than the second group. Hence, the positive psychology of being grateful boosts your immune system, reduces stress and literally makes you healthier.
4. According to Forbes magazine, it has been found that being grateful also gives you a career boost as it increases your productivity and enhances decision making skills.
So there you go. I believe we do not need any more reasons to be grateful in our daily lives.
How do you begin? Start maintaining a “Grateful Journal”, and let it work its magic on you.
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