Want to know a secret to good health? Say "thank you."
Gratitude is a universal emotion that's surprisingly vital to well-being, yet it's a habit many people only reserve for the holidays. Research shows expressing thanks not only reduces stress, it can also strengthen your relationships and boost sleep quality.
For our eighth episode of Next Level Living, a 10-part HuffPost Originals video series on the science behind our everyday habits, we had gratitude experts explain just how the practice influences your life.
"Over time, the emotional tone of your life and the story of your life, instead of just being one of setbacks and disappointments, really becomes one punctuated by really great, positive experiences that really can transform how you see the world," explained Jason Marsh, the director of programs for the Greater Good Science Center. Gratitude is also an evolutionary prosocial behavior. In other words, the habit is crucial to human beings' success as a species.
Take a look at the video above to learn more about the power of thankfulness. It's time to start practicing gratitude beyond the Thanksgiving table.
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