The heart is easily one of the most important organs of the body, because without it, we wouldn’t survive. Its sole purpose is to send blood to the rest of the body and provide the body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Because our heart is so important, it’s vital that we keep it healthy. We are probably all familiar with some of the things we can do to promote heart health – eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight – but did you know that thankfulness has also been shown to help your heart stay healthy?
The connection between our mind and body has been the topic of conversation for quite some time, and many forms of exercise, such as Yoga and Meditation, center around that connection. However, there is also a strong connection between the mind and the heart, and this connection has been the subject of recent studies, showing that a healthy heart may lower the risk of dementia and memory loss. Heart disease and dementia share several risk factors, so protecting the heart can also help protect the brain.
Thankfulness and positive reactions can help foster heart health. Furthermore, if we can train our brains to turn negative thought processes around and focus on positive ones, we can have a greater positive impact on our heart and mental health.
So, we know thankfulness and gratitude are good for us, but how can we cultivate those positive thoughts? Just like many things, gratitude is a learned behavior, so we can train ourselves to be thankful! Here are a few ways to start incorporating thankfulness into your life:
1. Make it a Habit – They say it takes 30 days to turn something into a habit. Say “thank you” whenever possible. From the minute you wake up in the morning until you climb back into bed at night, say “thanks” whenever possible. Take notice of all the opportunities to show your gratitude.
2. Keep a Journal – Create a “Thankfulness Journal” to keep track of all the things you are thankful for. Keeping a written note not only serves as a great reminder to be positive, but it helps reinforce that positivity! And you can choose to keep your journal in an actual journal or on your smartphone, so you can always keep it with you.
3. Be Present – It’s very easy to get lost in “what’s next” and worry about what’s to come. Instead, try and focus on the present. Enjoy the “now,” and be thankful for the little things. Whether you’re enjoying a delicious meal, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying a lovely conversation, focus on being completely present in the moment and appreciate each experience.
Try incorporating thankfulness into your lifestyle and help support that healthy mind, body, heart connection!