Thats a lot of us right now.
Because things are not fine, for anybody.
In fact, gratitude may help us better weather and recover from these hard times.
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But gratitude can be healing.
But its revealing to consider how the people who study gratitude define it.
An emotionThis meaning may be the one were most familiar with.
A traitGratitude is also studied as a trait or dispositional characteristichow grateful of a person you are.
As Simon-Thomas puts it, Do you tend to notice whats good in your own life?
Do you savor the goodnesses that are available to you?
Its a way of making the emotion of gratitude more readily available and more likely to occur in general.
The results here are still good but more mixed.
The idea is that it might be helpful for us too to practice it.
The majority of the data here is correlational, Simon-Thomas says.
Researchers assess PTSD using clinically validated measurement tools such as interviews, self-reports, and symptom checklists.
Some researchers see gratitude as a factor associated with or leading to PTG.
A number of research studies conceptualize gratitude as a protective factor against PTSD.
Other studies frame gratitude as a potential factor associated with or leading to PTG.
Theres also research on the role of gratitude for people experiencing serious illness, like cancer.
Or were they all just related?
On the flip side, it didnt seem that any of the variables directly led to greater gratitude.
So maybe having higher gratitude does lead to better well-being, even during really stressful times.
How exactly does gratitude help people cope better?
So how do researchers explain the salutary effects of gratitude, especially as they pertain to trauma and coping?
Its not entirely clear yet.
For instance, we dont know much about what precisely is occurring in our brains when we practice gratitude.
Most of our understanding of whats going on is theoretical.
Many of these theoretical frameworks are rooted in a particular area of study called positive psychology.
One influential theory here is the broaden-and-build model of positive emotions, pioneered by positive psychologist Barbara Fredrickson.
We tend to view positive emotionslikejoy, compassion, optimism, and gratitudeas merely evidence that someone is happy.
They actually have unique functions…and can actually help us build our resilience and help us cope.
Your brain at the moment might not automatically pay attention to all the wonderful things in your life.
Positive emotions and practices like gratitude can help you cope better by building your individual resources, Moskowitz says.
Its hard to get away from it, Moskowitz says.
Its not an option to check out and not deal with [stress and trauma].
Its like a breather, Moskowitz says.
When youre practicing gratitude, youre not practicing anxious or envious thoughts.
We develop a more prosocial and benevolent orientation toward others as we practice gratitude, Simon-Thomas explains.
Studies suggest that gratitude fosters prosocial behavior, strengthening social bonds, and forging new ones.
This social support may in turn promote PTG.
And that can become more habitual with practice.
How do you actually cultivate this state and trait in your own life?
As Stern puts it, Why not try it, and see if it makes a difference?
