The Link Between Gratitude and Giving (and What We’re Doing About It)
Welcome to February—the month where New Year’s resolutions go to die.
Cynical? Maybe. True? For sure.
This year, we opted out of resolutions and instead of thinking about how far we have left to go, we decided to focus on how far we’ve already come. It’s not that we think we’ve arrived or have nothing left to learn. It’s just that after battling through the Year Which Shall Not be Named—and entering a marginally-better-but-still-pretty-messed-up 2021—we decided gratitude might be our best way forward.
Five Badass Benefits of Gratitude
We know, we know… gratitude has become kind of a squishy buzzword, frequently followed by the word jar or journal. But the truth is, gratitude isn’t some mamby-pamby, flowery, fluffballish self-help strategy. It’s a freaking force to be reckoned with.
Grateful people are physically healthier.
The mind-body connection is real, and gratitude is literally good for you. Among other things, it can decrease blood pressure, improve sleep, and boost immunity.
Grateful people also tend to get in more exercise. Sooooo, if your “move more” resolution is gasping for breath, quit trying to convince yourself to use your fancy clothing rack treadmill and start thinking about what a lucky sonofab*tich you are, instead. Research shows the exercise part will follow.
2. Grateful people experience less stress.
To say we’ve all been under a little stress lately is an absurd understatement. For months, we’ve been cooped up with people whom we adore but who also know exactly how to find and stomp all over our very last nerve. We’ve been subject to an unreasonable number of Zoom meetings, and so have our kids. We’ve watched horror after nightmare after tragedy after lunacy play out on the news.
And the worst part? None of us knows when things might get back to normal. We’re not even sure if “normal” is what we really want.
Stress and uncertainty do a number on our wellbeing, but studies show gratitude can go a long way toward helping us navigate tough times. To be clear, it’s not that gratitude fixes the hard stuff; it just helps prevent us from fixating on it. How? Because gratitude causes a surge in feel-good chemicals in the brain—dopamine and serotonin.
3. Grateful people have better relationships.
According to research, “When we feel and express gratitude, it can cause a chain reaction of reciprocal good deeds which reinforces feelings of appreciation between those in the relationship.”
We don’t know about you, but the idea of “reciprocal good deeds” sounds like exactly what the world needs right now.
A simple, “Thank you!” to someone holding a door open for you could be the start of a conversation that leads to a beautiful friendship. Letting your partner know you appreciate them running that errand can do wonders in strengthening your bond. Whether it’s a new relationship or one that’s old and cozy like your favorite blanket, showing gratitude will make it stronger.
4. Grateful people have better self-esteem.
We all know one of the quickest ways to start feeling blah is to compare ourselves to others. Gratitude actually interrupts our tendency toward comparison—and helps us celebrate, than than seethe over, others’ accomplishments.
Plus, once gratitude becomes a habit, you’ll see a lot more good in yourself. And for the record, we already see it. You’re amazing.
5. Grateful people are less materialistic and more generous.
It makes sense, doesn’t it? If you’re grateful for what you have, you’re less likely to want more. What a peaceful way to live, eh?
But listen, gratitude isn’t just self-serving. People who practice gratitude are also more giving. Robert Emmons, arguably the world’s most expert-y expert on gratitude, says it this way: “Gratitude serves as a key link between receiving and giving: It moves recipients to share and increase the very good they have received.”
So what’s all this have to do with Denver real estate?
We thought you’d never ask. Now that we’ve joined forces with Compass, we have access to this incredible tool called Compass Cares. It’s a software program of sorts that empowers realtors and their clients to donate time and money to projects most meaningful to our community—and we’re currently dreaming up a super-cool way to channel all our gratitude-leads-to-generosity energy.
And because we can do more good when we do it together, we’ll be inviting you to join us. We’ll say more as soon as we have our ducks in a row. In the meantime, get gratitude-y, friends. It’s good for you—and it’s good for our community. Love you all!
If you’re feeling generous, the best way to get started with Compass Cares is by talking with a real-life human. You know—like us. We’ll gather all the deets on figure out a plan to help you give back.
No pressure, no hard sales, and no commitment. Just a quick call to see how we can help. Sound good?
