How does gratitude improve mental health?

I have been discussing this on various health forums for years now. When you practice gratitude, your body reduces the production of cortisol, which is the stress hormone. Try starting with a simple habit of thanking your family members or your house help daily, it works wonders for peace of mind.

When my therapist first told me to do gratitude journaling, I actually hated it and felt it was very fake. But when you are deeply depressed, forcing yourself to find even one tiny good thing—like a warm cup of chai—helps you realize you aren't completely drowning. It really validated my struggles and slowly pulled me out.

In our old days, we called this 'shukrana' or content with what God gave us. Along with waking up early and drinking warm water with honey to calm the body, saying a small thank you prayer relaxes the nervous system. It keeps your blood pressure in check and keeps mind peaceful.

For me, being grateful is like appreciating a perfectly crisp butter dosa! When you focus on enjoying what you actually have instead of crying about diet restrictions, you feel so happy. It really stops that stress-induced midnight sweet cravings because your heart is already full.