GratitudeFeeling appreciative and thankful for the good

things that others do for us, being willing to recognise and repay or thank

others for these things

What good things have happened to you recently?

Why did these things happen?

• Most good things do not happen by chance– If someone was nice to you, or helped you, was it

because you are a nice person too? – If you got a good grade or level, was it because you

worked well in the lesson?

Gratitude Experiments

• Research shows those who practice gratitude experience better health, better sleep, lower depression, greater life satisfaction, more optimistic thinking, better relationships with others.

Why do you think this might be?

The Gratitude Letter

• Psychologists divided people into groups:(1) Control group (nothing happens to these people) (2) People who get “happy-making treats” like trips to a

theme park (3) People who were given mood improving drugs (4) People who wrote and delivered a “gratitude letter”

• After the initial experience, guess which groups were happier?

• After 6 months, guess which groups were happier? • After 3 years?

Groups 2, 3 and 4 were all happier than group 1

Group 4 – the gratitude letter group

Step 1: Complete your personal gratitude list

Writing a gratitude letter