Tip Of The Week: Gratitude has Power
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! As we move into a busy holiday season, there is no better time to pause and reflect on the power of gratitude. Over the past few years, the idea of gratitude has gotten more positive press. You may have seen gratitude journals popping up, or hearing about ideas of focusing on positive aspects in your life. But, what you may not know is that there is actually science and research behind this.
The Science Behind Gratitude
Research has shown that:
There is a link between gratitude anxiety and depression, with potential mediating factors related to sleep.
Expressing gratitude in a journal and to other people has been shown to improve affect and improve depression.
Writing letters of gratitude to others was shown to improve mental health in those undergoing psychotherapy.
Writing a daily list of gratitude was found to increase positive affect, subjective happiness and life satisfaction, and reduce negative affect and depression symptoms.
Gratitude & Pelvic Health
So, what does this have to do with pelvic health? Well... everything. The reality is that the pelvic floor is a strong emotional center of the body. Studies have shown that the pelvic floor responds to threat or perceived threat through tension, so it is surprisingly common for people dealing with pelvic floor tension to also have increased stress in their lives (whether related to their condition, relationships, work, or something else altogether!). Mental and emotional wellbeing can thus have an impact on what is happening in the rest of our body as well.
Tips To Get Started
Start Small
Expressing gratitude does not have to be a daunting task! Start small by trying to thank one person each day who is adding something positive to your life. It could be a co-worker, a family member, a medical provider, or a helpful store clerk!
Try Gratitude Journaling
You can do this on your own by simply keeping a notebook and writing down 3 things you are thankful for each day before bed. You can also get a journal to help you (this one is Andrew's favorite!). A quick search online will give you lots of ideas!
Try Gratitude Letters
Pick one person in your life each week to write a letter or e-mail to-- thanking them for who they are, or for something they have done in the past.
I hope this practice leads to increased peace for you and your pelvic floor muscles this holiday season!
Weekly Tips Pelvic Health Tips By Dr. Jessica Reale PT, DPT, WCS