Gratitude can be broadly defined as a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives by showing appreciation for the things that are meaningful or valuable to them. One of the best aspects of the holiday season is the chance to reflect on all that we’re grateful for in our lives. For many of us, it’s one of the few times that we intentionally acknowledge all of the people, things and circumstances that we’re most appreciative of. This practice however doesn’t just need to be limited to the holiday season and a growing body of research suggests that implementing a regular gratitude practice can have numerous benefits on your physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.

Read more about this topic in this month’s Highmark Plan for Health Newsletter.