Not always aware of the different implications, our educators have mostly instilled in us the polite part of the gratitude, but not only. In this study, (among many others on the subject), it is shown that to feel gratitude would have psychological and physical effects. It is the feeling of well-being that dominates, measurable by the drop in cortisol, the stress hormone (among others), naturally secreted by our cortex.

Say thank you to unsuspected virtues. Here are some of them, used during my coaching sessions.

The list is far from being exhaustive.

Recognition of what others bring to us.

A door that we hold, the passage on the sidewalk that we are left with, the favorite chocolate that we bring back from the races without asking, a help to finish a job, time to listen to our problems, a compliment, a smile, a good time spent with the people we love …

All these attentions that we carry and that we carry tend to facilitate the life but especially to say: I think of you and I want you good. And to recognize these attentions is to recognize people in their act of kindness.

Effects

Complacency, harmony, positive interaction, feeling of being and making yourself useful. If it’s good, why deprive yourself?

Recognition of what our environment brings us.

Have a comfortable place to sleep, enough to eat, drink, thirst, health that allows us to do what we want, a family, friends, activities, live in a country in peace, to see a beautiful landscape etc.

To review the basics, the fundamentals from time to time brings us back to the Here and Now, to the present. Exit the past on which we can do nothing and the future on which we do not have any influence. Being in the present moment helps to settle and become aware of all that one has and thus put aside for a moment what one does not have.

Effects

Well-being, serenity, taking distance. This may be the time to set realistic and achievable goals.

Calm the tensions.

Here is a technique from professional mediation. A person assails you with reproaches, unpleasant remarks. Listen to her and answer with a simple “I thank you”, the most neutral possible and that’s it.

Effects

Surprise assured, down to the zero point of emotions in one second and without losing energy. Awareness of the person on how to express their discomfort (perhaps). We take the opportunity to congratulate ourselves for not being allowed to embark.

So saying thank you has meaning and effects. By becoming aware of this and practicing gratitude, we improve our relationships with others and our relationship with life.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article.