Co-authored by Aarushi Atri and Kelly-Ann Allen

Can a simple daily practice truly restore our peace amidst the stress and chaos of modern life? One such practice is gratitude, a core principle of positive psychology that has garnered significant attention recently. But why is gratitude so powerful, and how can we leverage it to improve our mental and emotional well-being?

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented mental health crisis, with rising levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Amid this turmoil, many turned to gratitude as a tool to navigate their emotional challenges. Gratitude, far from being just a trendy buzzword, is supported by scientific research as a transformative approach to mental well-being.

Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of different gratitude practices in reducing stress and enhancing mood. In a notable study, participants were divided into three groups: one practiced domain-specific gratitude (focusing on broad aspects like work or relationships), another engaged in stressor-specific gratitude (focusing on individual challenges), and the third group did not practice gratitude.

The findings were illuminating. Participants who practiced domain-specific gratitude reported significant reductions in stress and negative emotions, along with increases in positive feelings. This suggests that focusing on broad aspects of life can........

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