A 2014 study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that gratitude increased athlete’s self-esteem, which is an essential component to optimal performance. Other studies have shown that gratitude reduces social comparisons. Rather than becoming resen...

For years, research has shown gratitude not only reduces stress, but it may also play a major role in overcoming trauma. A 2006 study published in Behavior Research and Therapy found that Vietnam War Veterans with higher levels of gratitude experienced lower rates of Po...

Writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep, according to a 2011 study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being . Spend just 15 minutes jotting down a few grateful sentiments before bed, and you may sleep better and longer.

Grateful people are more likely to behave in a prosocial manner, even when others behave less kind, according to a 2012 study by the University of Kentucky . Study participants who ranked higher on gratitude sc...

Not only does saying “thank you” constitute good manners, but showing appreciation can help you win new friends, according to a 2014 study published in Emotion . The study found that thanking a new acquaintance makes them more likely to seek an ongoing relationship. So whether you thank ...