Gratitude

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Many people make resolutions at the beginning of the year to achieve goals they would like to accomplish but often fail to achieve because of a negative outlook.

Perry County OSU Extension Family and Consumer Science Educator Misty Harmon discussed how gratitude can play a key role in productivity.

“I learned a lot about gratitude.” Harmon said. “I’ve always known the benefits of gratitude but you know, some of my colleagues did some different topics. And a lot of the research really does show that that ‘attitude of gratitude’ can help with reducing depression and anxiety, which can help keep us in a positive mindframe because we know when we have that more positive attitude, we’re more likely to work towards those goals we might have set on January one you know, or whenever we’ve set those.”

Gratitude isn’t just internally being grateful for the positive things in our own lives but an outward expression to others, such as simply saying thank you and/or reciprocating an act of kindness in return.

“There’s nothing too small to be grateful for.” Harmon said. “A lot of people think acts of gratitude have to be about big things that somebody does for you and that’s not true. You know, you can… and really the research shows people are more thankful for the small, those little things. Thanking somebody for taking the trash out right, your spouse or your child or whatever. Those things mean a lot more to people. Those everyday things. A lot of times we overlook the small things.”

Harmon added that by reframing our minds to look for and focus on the positive aspects of our lives, we can be happier with less anxiety and able to approach our goals with greater motivation.