We all can improve digestion by adopting the habit of gratitude. Thinking and writing down 3 things that we are grateful for each morning and night can produce positive results in our relationships, emotions, personality, health, and career. The habit of intentional daily gratitude provides us time to slow down and digest life. Here is some research on how gratitude effects health.
It can decrease the time it takes to fall asleep, improve sleep quality, decrease stress hormone cortisol levels, decrease depression, reduce inflammation, increase sense of happiness and wellbeing, increase our ability to lead and be productive, and much more. When we take time to appreciate what we have and that we are breathing, our body can repair itself. Practicing gratitude sounds like common sense. However, when it is something that you do every day and night, your life and digestive track will thank you.
In a study published in American Psychology, they found that a one time act of thoughtful gratitude produced an immediate 10% increase in happiness and 35% reduction in depressive symptoms. On the other hand, instructing participants to write down three things that went well and their causes every night for one week had a long-lasting impact. After one week, participants were 2% happier than before, but in follow-up tests, their happiness kept on increasing, from 5% at one month, to 9% at six months. Happiness is directly associated with digestive problems. When people feel happier, they have less digestive problems. When people are stressed, busy, and don't take time for themselves, they suffer with symptoms. Gratitude is common sense, yes. Simple, yes. Effective, yes. Free, yes. So what are you grateful for? Think of 3 things right now that you are appreciative of and hold on to the feeling of appreciation for a few seconds.
Naturopathic medicine focuses on identifying the root cause of disease and supporting the body to heal itself. When we address the gut and the emotions, the whole person can heal systemically.
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