As we start the new year, many of us will have New Years Resolutions, goals of making 2018 better than last year. So as we set out to achieve these goals, I want us to try approaching this year differently. As cheesy as it sounds, I think we need to go about 2018 with a heart of gratitude. (Like I said, it sounds cheesy.)

Nowadays, we are bombarded with a lot of negativity, whether it is the news, the stress of work, online bullying, or political bickering. It is easy to feel stuck in the negative muck and worn down by the heavy stress of life. Gratitude helps us to see that there are good things in the world and good things that have happened to us. As we focus on that, the good/positive in the world, then we can be lifted out of the doom and gloom and it begins to change us.

Being grateful has tremendous effects on the human body. Just looking at the physical benefits of being grateful, it can boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, lower stress and help you to sleep better (both longer and have a more restful night). With a grateful spirit, we tend to exercise more and take better care of our health (which is something we all are trying to achieve). Being grateful also helps us to be more joyful, forgiving and more optimistic. Gratitude also blocks negative thoughts and emotions. (You can’t be grateful and envious at the same time.) There was actually a 2008 study showing that gratitude can reduce the frequency and duration of episodes of depression.

Having a heart of gratitude may not be easy. So here are a couple steps to help you begin to cultivate gratitude. First is keeping a gratitude journal. Every week, write 5 things for which you are grateful. Another similar example is to count your blessings every day. Like the journal, list what you are grateful for that day. You can also visit greatergood.berkely.edu for more articles and tips on gratitude.

So here’s to a new year! May it be a healthy and grateful year!