Did you know that a broken heart may kill you?
Well, not in the loss of a loved one type of way, but definitely in the unhealthy heart kind of way.
Cases of cardiovascular disease are at an all-time high, and heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death.
That’s 32% of global deaths caused by cardio vascular disease.
Is it any wonder that there are so many hearts in need of mending?
Research shows that if you are already suffer from heart disease, there is a free and simple tool you can use right now to affect your wellbeing. What is it you may ask? Gratitude.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is being thankful and showing appreciation. It could be for the small things in life or the really big things. The phrase ‘attitude of gratitude’ seems to be thrown around so often, and we’ve all heard that it must be good for us, but how does gratitude actually work to heal your heart?
Gratitude helps us to:
Decrease Stress
Gratitude helps to lower the stress hormone, cortisol. By practicing a daily gratitude practice, you can start creating a positive buffer for when stressful events do happen. More gratitude equals less cortisol response and less harmful effects on the body.
Increase health
Research shows that practicing gratitude has many positive effects on the body including better sleep patterns and even better health behaviours.
Feel more positive
Research tells us that practicing gratitude makes us feel more positive by giving us more purpose in life, self-acceptance and Eudaimonic Wellbeing.
Watch this video to find out more:
Can gratitude prevent poor heart health?
The simple answer is, YES! Research shows that gratitude decreases blood pressure, reduces inflammatory markers and lowers the heart rate. Interestingly, it also shows increased outcomes for healthy people, so you can definitely use gratitude to prevent cardiovascular disease.
It is never too late to start caring for your heart more.
So, how you can practice gratitude at home?
One of the amazing things about gratitude practices is that you can do them from the comfort of your own home. In fact, all you need is a pen and paper and 10 minutes out of your day to start the 3 Good Things gratitude practice.
Watch this video to find out how 3 Good things can change your perspective:
A Final Note
We all want a healthy and happy heart. None of us want to end up another heart disease statistic. By doing a daily gratitude practice like 3 Good Things, you can help your heart today.
Work towards better health and happiness now. Thank you for looking after your heart!
References
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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2021). Heart, stroke and vascular disease—Australian facts. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts
Boggiss, A. L., Consedine, N. S., Brenton-Peters, J. M., Hofman, P. L., & Serlachius, A. S. (2020). A systematic review of gratitude interventions: Effects on physical health and health behaviors. J Psychosom Res, 135, 110165-110165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110165
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Greater Good Science Center. (n.d.). Three Good Things (Greater Good in Action). Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/three-good-things
Greater Good Science Centre. (2014, September 15). Can gratitude help people with heart disease? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPXezN3Gol0
Khorrami, N. (2020, July 7). Gratitude helps minimize feelings of stress. Psychology Today. Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/comfort-gratitude/202007/gratitude-helps-minimize-feelings-stress
Sacco, S. J., Park, C. L., Suresh, D. P., & Bliss, D. (2014). Living with heart failure: psychosocial resources, meaning, gratitude and well-being. Heart & lung: the journal of critical care, 43(3), 213–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2014.01.012
Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2010). Gratitude and well being: the benefits of appreciation. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 7(11), 18-22.
Seligman, M. [Happierdotcom]. (2009, November 20). Three good things [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOGAp9dw8Ac
Sin N. L. (2016). The Protective Role of Positive Well-Being in Cardiovascular Disease: Review of Current Evidence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications. Current cardiology reports, 18(11), 106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-016-0792-z
The Greater Good Science Center, & Emmons, R. (2010, November 16). Why gratitude is good. Greater Good. Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good
World Health Organization. (2021, June 11). Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)