How are gratitude and fitness correlated?
Attitude of Gratitude
Yes, being grateful will improve your workout. Here is why:
Gratitude, joy, and happiness are closely related concepts that have been studied by researchers in the field of positive psychology. While all three are associated with positive emotions, there are subtle differences in their meanings and the ways in which they impact physical health.
What is gratitude?
Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation or thankfulness for something or someone. It is the recognition of the good things in one's life and the realization that these things come from external sources. Studies have shown that gratitude is associated with improved psychological well-being, including increased life satisfaction and decreased depression and anxiety. Additionally, research has found that gratitude is associated with improved physical health. For example, a study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences found that gratitude is positively associated with heart rate variability, a measure of cardiovascular health. Other research has found that gratitude is associated with better sleep and improved immune function.Is joy is the spice of life?
Joy is a feeling of delight or pleasure, often associated with positive experiences or accomplishments. Joy is typically considered to be a more intense and fleeting emotion than gratitude. Studies have found that joy is associated with increased positive affect and improved psychological well-being. Additionally, research has suggested that joy is associated with improved physical health, including decreased inflammation and improved cardiovascular health.Does happiness affect your fitness?
Happiness is a broad term that is often used to describe a general sense of well-being or contentment. Unlike gratitude and joy, happiness is not necessarily tied to a specific event or experience. Studies have found that happiness is associated with improved psychological well-being, including increased life satisfaction and decreased depression and anxiety. Additionally, research has suggested that happiness is associated with improved physical health, including decreased inflammation and improved cardiovascular health.How is physical health related to one’s attitude?
Physical health and fitness are closely related to one's mental attitude. Positive mental attitude (PMA) can help encourage good workouts and athletic performance. Studies have shown that athletes who have a positive mental attitude tend to perform better than those who have a negative one. For example, a study published in the Journal of Sport Psychology found that athletes who had a positive mental attitude were more likely to report higher levels of self-confidence, which in turn was associated with better athletic performance.How can gratitude help my athletic performance?
Athletes can benefit from practicing gratitude, joy, and happiness, as these positive emotions can help improve their mental attitude and thus their athletic performance. For example, a study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that athletes who regularly engaged in gratitude exercises reported higher levels of satisfaction with their athletic performance and their lives overall. Additionally, research has suggested that athletes who are able to maintain a positive mental attitude are better able to cope with the stress and demands of their sport.
References:
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- Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of personality and social psychology, 84(2), 377.
- Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2008). The role of gratitude in the development of social support, stress, and depression: two longitudinal studies. Journal of research in personality, 42(4), 854-871.
- Algoe, S. B., Haidt, J., & Gable, S. L. (2008). Beyond reciprocity: gratitude and relationships in everyday life. Emotion, 8(3), 425.
- Emmons, R. A. (2007). Thanks! How the new science of gratitude can make you happier. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
- Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: a review and theoretical integration. Clinical psychology review, 30(7), 890-905.
- Froh, J. J., Yurkewicz, C., & Kashdan, T. B. (2009). Gratitude and well-being: a review and theoretical integration. Clinical psychology review, 29(3), 72-90.
- Froh, J. J., Sefick, D. J., & Emmons, R. A. (2008). Counting blessings in early adolescents: an experimental study of gratitude and subjective well-being. Journal of School Psychology, 46(2), 213-233.
- Wood, A. M., Maltby, J., Gillett, R., Linley, P. A., & Joseph, S. (2008). The authentic personality: a theoretical and empirical conceptualization and the development of the Authenticity Scale. Journal of counseling psychology, 55(3), 385.
- Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: empirical validation of interventions. American psychologist, 60(5), 410.
- Gable, S. L., Reis, H. T., Impett, E. A., & Asher, E. R. (2004). What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. Journal of personality and social psychology, 87(2), 228.
