Celebrating World Gratitude Day on Sept. 21
Holding the door open for someone behind you, writing a note of 10 things you’re thankful for, volunteering or giving to a cause close to your heart bring so much joy.
These are all positive acts you can do on Sept. 21, World Gratitude Day. By spreading kindness to family, friends and your community, you can join this global initiative. It’s a day to take a moment to pause, reflect and be thankful.
It doesn’t take much to experience the happiness that comes from kindness. “Even the little things make a difference,” Judith Gere, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, says. “Small acts of kindness such as helping clean up after dinner or complimenting someone can go a long way.”
Judith highlighted the psychological and emotional benefits of being friendly to others. Not only can it bring a smile to someone else’s face but it can also brighten your day as the giver.
“Expressing appreciation and kindness toward others results in positive reactions in the beneficiary which can make us feel good and also strengthens an existing relational bond,” Judith says. “Even between strangers, an act of kindness creates a moment of connection that generates positive feelings in both the giver and the recipient, and these moments of connection to others can really enhance well-being. We are social creatures, and the things we do to enhance connections with others can really help to enhance happiness.”
Kindness can go a long way, and so can positivity, according to Judith.
“Gratitude focuses one’s attention on the good things in one’s life, helping people maintain a positive focus, which is key to psychological health,” Judith says. “Focusing on the good things in our lives crowds out thoughts of the negatives, such as worry, fear and anxiety that can lead to lower well-being.”
Judith has also conducted research on the benefits of gratitude in romantic relationships. Those who possess the personality trait of agreeableness are more likely to help others, show responsiveness to their partner's needs, tend to go along with others' preferences and are more considerate of other people in their actions.
“We found that the personality trait of agreeableness as opposed to being antagonistic is related to greater appreciation of one's romantic partner and that appreciation is an important ingredient of a good relationship that can enhance well-being.”
Judith teaches a course on positive psychological interventions to boost happiness and has students reflect on their experiences with gratitude and random acts of kindness. Students said they wrote gratitude letters to an important person in their life, paid for someone’s coffee, made a meal for a loved one, complimented another person and opened the door for a stranger.
“Students are often quite surprised by just how powerful these little actions are in both making them and others feel good and creating connections with others,” Judith says.
This World Gratitude Day (and every day) start your day on a positive note by being thankful and radiating kindness. Good things will come your way.