Does Giving Thanks Really Make Us Feel Good?

We’re going to watch a video that explores this question. Researchers have found that the expression of gratitude gives positive effects on our both mental and physical health.

4:30

3

Learning Goal: Self-Control

Grades: 9-12 | Activity Type: Extension | Status: X Original | Remix

Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District

Part

1 of 3

PLACE

VIDEO HERE

Thinking about what he shared,

why do you think gratitude feels good to the person showing the gratitude? What about to the person receiving the gratitude?

He suggested that knowing how

much gratitude one person in a relationship has for the other person can help us predict how satisfied both people will be with the relationship.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how much did this surprise you? Why?

Part

2 of 3

PLACE

VIDEO HERE

How would you describe the difference between genuine gratitude and indebtedness (i.e., feeling like you owe somebody)?

On a scale from 1 to 10, how

important do you think it is that friends, family members, etc. actually express their gratitude (e.g., say “thank you”) to each other vs. just feeling gratitude for each other? Why?

Part

3 of 3

PLACE

VIDEO HERE

You may have heard of the

phrases “habit of gratitude” or “attitude of gratitude”?

What connection do you see between these phrases and what he shared about gratitude journals and people who participated in gratitude challenges?

Some have suggested that unless

we conscious take stock of the things we’re grateful for, we’re more likely to start taking things for granted, which makes us less happy.

Do you agree with this suggestion? What would you say about how important gratitude is or isn’t?

Nice work! To recap, we learned more about: