Gratitude is the quality of being thankful or grateful for things in one’s life. Different people are grateful for different things, but many people are grateful for family and friends as well as a variety of experiences and opportunities. People can show gratitude for things big and small. One person might be grateful for being hired for a summer internship, while another is grateful to have a caring family, and another is grateful just to have food for dinner. It is important to recognize that you can be grateful for many things, big or small, and reflecting on these issues can impact mindset and overall well-being.

Researchers Chad Burton and Laura King investigated the experiences of undergraduate students who either wrote and reflected on positive experiences (e.g., things one is grateful for) or a control topic. They found that writing on positive experiences resulted in enhanced positive mood and fewer visits to the health center than the control group. This result occurred with just 20 minutes of writing for three consecutive days. Thus, within a short period of time, significant changes are possible.

The perceptions of the participants for this week’s activity were varied. There was a natural skepticism about the efficacy of such activities and their value, and I think this is healthy. People should be skeptical of quick-fixes and cure-alls, but there is also value in giving things a fair shot. While not all participants felt the activity made a huge difference in their feelings, there were also notable instances in which participants recognized the value of the activity. The point is not that this activity is guaranteed to transform your life, but rather that we can take a little time to be consciously grateful for things in our lives, which can lead to increased mental well-being. Given that it doesn’t cost much, what is the harm in trying?