5 Surprising Benefits of Gratitude in Midlife

*Updated July 2024

There are some surprising benefits of gratitude that you may not know about. And, they can help you create the abundant, joyful life that you deserve!

I’m sure you’ve heard about the positive effects of this practice. But what does gratitude truly mean? And how can it help you elevate your life?

Gratitude is a strong feeling of acceptance and love for something or someone. And, it’s an extremely powerful, healing emotion that’s fundamental to a well-lived life.

Feelings of gratitude engage the heart and create high frequency vibrations that invite more good into your reality. By practicing gratitude, you create goodwill and align your life with abundance and joy.

Gratitude and Midlife

This is especially true in midlife. During this phase of life, regrets from the past can bubble to the surface. These negative thoughts can be caused by life goals you wish you had pursued. Or, you may feel guilt or sadness about past events that you wish you could change.

All of these emotions are a valid part of the journey. But, this is where the practice of gratitude can be a game-changer in midlife.

Two Components of Gratitude

Professor Robert Emmons from the University of California, Davis, is a leading expert on the subject. In his book, Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, he explains how gratitude can significantly increase well-being and satisfaction in your life.

His research has shown the immeasurable benefits of gratitude. These include increased happiness, better stress management, stronger relationships, improved physical health, and a shorter recovery time from injury and illness.

He has identified two main components of gratitude:

• First, that you acknowledge the benefits of practicing gratitude.
• Next, that you understand that this goodwill comes from other people or a higher power.

“Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality.”

Jen Sincero

My Gratitude Journey

When I was going through a difficult time in my life, it was a struggle to stay positive. My main objective was to find a coping strategy to pull me through this phase of my life.

So, I invested in some personal development books and dug in. Soon, I was able to identify one common theme, gratitude!

And, this realization sparked a new way of thinking for me. As a result, gratitude became a focal point in my life.

Regardless of what you’re experiencing in life, there’s always something to be grateful for. And, when you approach life from a place of gratitude you will reap the rewards.

Ways to Practice Gratitude

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1. Change Your Thought Pattern

Personally, I began to practice gratitude in earnest after my divorce. I was ready to shed the past and move forward in a new, wonderful direction (which I was able to achieve!).

I started by feeling grateful for the simplest things in life, a friendly smile, a good cup of coffee, and the warm sun on my face.

Even in the midst of uncertainty, I persisted with my practice of gratitude. Over time, I experienced a shift in consciousness. Practicing gratitude became a natural part of my daily experience. This new way of being completely transformed my life.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

Melody Beattie 

2. Come to Acceptance

The Universe does not judge, punish, or discriminate. It objectively mirrors back to you exactly what you send out in the form of thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and actions.

So, before you can change any situation, you have to acknowledge that it exists. This will shine a light on what you want and what you don’t want.

By accepting your current situation exactly as it is, you are being honest about where you are in life. As a result, you’re better equipped to make purposeful life changes. Now, you can identify exactly what needs to change and take purposeful action steps.

And, the key to success is to celebrate all of the good you already have. Then get excited! The Universe always gives you more of what you focus on. This elevated emotional state will draw more positivity and abundance into your life.

3. Vibrational Frequency

When you practice gratitude, you will begin to vibrate at a higher frequency. As a result, you’ll begin aligning more easily the things you truly desire.

This is an example of the Law of Cause and Effect. The Law of Cause and Effect is a universal principle that states that every action has a corresponding consequence or reaction.

It is based on the idea everything in the universe is interconnected and that nothing happens by chance. Let this principle guide your gratitude journey.

4. Write in a Journal

Writing about what you’re grateful for is a simple, effective way to practice gratitude. So, grab a journal and reap the benefits of gratitude!

Research suggests that writing about one event in depth is more effective than creating a daily list of why you’re grateful. But, do whatever works best for you.

Write as often as possible. And, be specific about who inspired your gratitude and why it made such a lasting impression on you. Take it a step further by writing about what you want to happen as if it has already occurred even before it comes into your reality.

The brain doesn’t know the difference between what is actually happening and a vivid visualization. Replay these moments and the feelings of love and joy you experienced.

Dwelling in gratitude engages the heart and changes the brain. This heart-brain connection sends a strong signal out to the Universe.

5. Commit a Random Act of Kindness

When you are loving and joyful, you function at a higher level of consciousness. In turn, you naturally want to share your happiness with others.

Random acts of kindness are true expressions of joy. And, they spark a domino effect of altruism. Studies show that not only the giver and receiver reap the benefits, but the observers do, too!

For example, if you buy a coffee for someone, they are pleasantly surprised. You both feel appreciation and joy. Even the cashier feels a rush of gratitude. In turn, they treat others with deliberate kindness. And, this one simple act creates a positive ripple out into the world.

6. No Complaints

Complaining undermines your prosperity and wellness and diminishes the gift of life. By not complaining, you accept the moment as it is; and acceptance is the greatest expression of gratitude.

Instead of tallying a list of grievances, stay focused, present, and grateful. Here is a simple mantra that you can use to stop complaining in its tracks, “Thank you for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever.” With some practice and patience, you’ll soon notice a positive shift in your life.

The 5 Surprising Benefits of Gratitude

Along with the more common benefits of gratitude, like increased happiness, there are some lesser known benefits:

1. Gratitude is good for your mental health.

If you’re sick of feeling anxious, unhappy, or dissatisfied with life, gratitude just might be the answer! Gratitude is an effective way to boost happiness and reduce depression.

And, gratitude is addictive in the best sense of the word. Being grateful and committing acts of kindness floods your brain with a chemical called dopamine.

When you are truly grateful, you’ll experience a natural high. And, because these emotions are so pleasurable, you’ll want to feel them over and over again. As a result, you are more inclined to give thanks and do good deeds.

2. Gratitude helps you live longer.

Positive emotions can increase your lifespan. Studies have proven that gratitude is good for your overall health and wellness. Feelings of gratitude help your body fight viruses. It also reduces aches and pains, strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, and reduces symptoms of illness.

Practicing gratitude also helps you get a good night’s sleep which is crucial to wellness and longevity. People with heart failure and chronic pain who are more grateful report sleeping better, despite their condition, than less grateful patients.

In one particular sleep study, people who practiced gratitude reported falling asleep more quickly, sleeping for longer periods of time, having better quality of sleep, and staying alert during the day.

They also reported that more grateful people sleep better because they nurture positive, rather than negative, thoughts at bedtime.

3. Gratitude makes people like you better.

When you practice gratitude, you’re happier, kinder, and more generous. As a result, people are naturally drawn to you. It helps you to strengthen friendships and grow your circle of friends.

One study reported that, “recipients of expressions of gratitude were more likely to extend the effort to continue the relationship with the novel peer by providing that peer with a means to contact them.”

4. Gratitude makes you a better leader.

Researchers at the Wharton School of Business found that when managers expressed gratitude for their employees, they were 50% more productive.

An additional study published in Scientific Research, learned that employees who are part of a workplace culture that promotes gratitude experience greater job satisfaction and overall well-being.

5. Gratitude makes you more resilient.

Gratitude can make you a more resilient person. Having emotional resilience is more than just getting through tough times. It’s the commitment to find purpose in whatever hardship you’re facing combined with a strong belief that something good will come out of it.

And, gratitude also can help you heal from trauma more quickly. This practice has the amazing power to help you overcome the most difficult life challenges with dignity and grace.

Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude is the spark that can help you initiate change and propel your life forward in some wonderful and surprising ways! How do you practice gratitude in your life? What are some of the benefits you’ve experienced? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below and get the conversation started.

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Disclosure: Melissa Damiani is a participant in the Routine Probiotics for Her Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to select merchant, and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking amazon.com. Although I only promote products that I love, use, and have confidence in, always do your own research before purchasing any product or service. Please read my disclaimer here. Read my disclaimer here.