Back in 2003, Robert A. Emmons and Michael E. McCullough published a study they had conducted on the effects of mindful gratitude. Though many in their field have always known about the benefits of counting your blessings, they were curious to find out if the simple act of feeling thankful would display the same benefits to those labeled clinically "depressed."

For 21 days, the "untreatable, chronically depressed" subjects were given the simple task of writing down their blessings in a journal. All that came to mind, however great or trivial, such as the paper boy being so reliable to working out an issue with an employer, were noted and memorialized at the start and end of each day. The results after just 3 weeks were astonishing as these clinically depressed individuals reported greater levels of positive affect, more sleep, better sleep quality, and greater optimism and a sense of connectedness to others. They were more inclined to help people with their problems and noted a greater sense of well being. Almost all the who continued the exercise after the experiment was over were completely cured from their depression.

"The experience of gratitude, and the actions stimulated by it, build and strengthen social bonds and friendships. Moreover, encouraging people to focus on the benefits they have received from others leads them to feel loved and cared for by others (Reynolds, 1983). Therefore, gratitude appears to build friendships and other social bonds. These are social resources because, in times of need, these social bonds are wellsprings to be tapped for the provision of social support. Gratitude, thus, is a form of love, a consequence of an already formed attachment as well as a precipitating condition for the formation of new affectional bonds (Roberts, in press). Gratitude is also likely to build and strengthen a sense of spirituality, given the strong historical association between gratitude and religion (Emmons & Crumpler, 2000; McCullough et al., 2002). Finally, to the extent that gratitude, like other positive emotions, broadens the scope of cognition and enables flexible and creative thinking, it also facilitates coping with stress and adversity (Aspinwall, 1998; Folkman & Moskowitz, 2000)."

You see, there is a magical, wonderous transformation that takes place in our lives when we count our blessings. And I want to ask all our Healthy Americans, when was the last time you truly gave thanks and counted all your blessings? If you've been feeling sad or unmotivated lately, here's one way to turn that frown upside down! Start that gratitude journal and let us know how it's changing your thoughts and feelings. We always love to hear from you.

Happy Monday, everyone!

With gratitude, Nari