The Science Behind an Attitude of Gratitude

Who among us isn't looking for the road to a happier, more enjoyable and stress-free life?  If we, as parents, teachers, caregivers, and early education professionals, were able to find that road, what effects would it have on our lives and the lives of the young children around us?

As we approach the holiday season--the most wonderful time of the year, we all have warm, fuzzy visions of families coming together to share good food, love and laughter while sipping hot cocoa in front of a fire.  However, the reality of the holiday season--most wonderful and stressful time of the year, often turns out quite differently.  Many families suffer through this time worrying about money, feeling the pressures of busier than normal schedules, drained energy levels, long lines, travel delays and short fuses as they focus on trying to 'make' everything perfect and everyone happy.  In turn, children's lives are overloaded with stressed out adults and an avalanche of commercial marketing strategies setting them up to not only want and need more stuff, attention and entertainment, but also make them feel entitled to it.  As I began to wonder about the true, true meaning of the holiday season, and how I might convey some thoughtful ideas to the young children and families in my life, I came across this website that I thought was perfect to share.

"The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley--in collaboration with the University of California, Davis--launched a $5.6 million, three-year project, Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude"(The Greater Good Science Center, 2014)         http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/expandinggratitude.  Scientist have now proven that an attitude of gratitude really will change your life, your health and your stress levels.  "They're finding that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits:
     -Stronger immune systems and lower blood pressure;
     -Higher levels of positive emotions;
     -More joy, optimism, and happiness;
     -Acting with more generosity and compassion;
     -Feeling less lonely and isolated" (The Greater Good Science Center, 2014).

 The website also provides a look at both research and public education initiatives, links to other resources and a short video that helps explain their cause and purpose as well as ways to get involved in the project.  I found many of the resources useful especially for sharing with children in preschool classrooms and as supportive parent education.                                                                                          
Think about it, if more adults were able to improve their quality of life through the benefits reported by the Greater Good Science Center, what would that do to the quality of the lives of the children who surround them?  If more adults could model this attitude, children will also be more likely to adopt similar notions.  Imagine the long-term mental, health and emotional benefits for children who can learn to engrain gratitude into their belief systems regardless of religious affiliation.  Fostering gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation in our children takes work, and that work begins with us, the adults. Please check out this wonderful resource for yourself, your family, your classroom and co-workers.  I was certainly grateful to find it!

Happy Holidays!

Reference:
The Greater Good Science Center, (2014), Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude,               University of California, Berkeley.
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/expandinggratitude