The power of expressing gratitude in writing…even when the letter is never sent…

Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Expressing gratitude through writing, especially in the form of a never-sent letter, taps into a profound mechanism that enhances our emotional well-being.

Composing a heartfelt message to someone we appreciate can evoke deep-seated feelings of gratitude, connection, and positivity.

Research indicates that this practice not only boosts happiness… it also elevates our mood by making us feel uplifted, as if the mere act of acknowledging our gratitude to another person increases our own felt sense of positive emotions.

Wow. Is this possibly the greatest gratitude hack of all time?

Ms. Annie Regan's explanation of this phenomenon suggests that the process of reflecting on gratitude towards someone else has a direct impact on our emotional state, enhancing it in a unique and powerful way.

The example gratitude letter to a mother highlights the impact of such an exercise. The participant expressed gratitude for their mother's support and a particular comment that deeply touched them. Despite any previous difficulties in expressing emotions, the act of writing this letter allowed the participant to convey their feelings authentically, fostering a sense of closeness and appreciation.

Moreover, the study's comparison with other gratitude exercises, such as making a list or keeping a journal, suggests that the act of writing a gratitude letter to a specific person has a more significant effect on our happiness and well-being. This personalized approach seems to create a deeper emotional connection, leading to greater feelings of gratitude and positivity.

In the study involving students, the comparison between writing unsent letters, sending thank-you texts, and sharing gratitude on social media highlights the effectiveness of direct communication in fostering social connection and reducing feelings of loneliness. While all methods had positive effects, sending a text directly to someone who had done something kind was particularly effective in enhancing social connectedness and overall well-being.

Digital Gratitude…

Here is an example of a gratitude letter written by one of the study’s participants, but never sent:

“Dear Mom,

I am so grateful to have you around as I [navigate] being an adult.

It is so good having someone to talk to about all of my little worries in life.

I know that we have not always been open in showing our feelings towards each [other], but one comment you recently made to me has struck in straight in the heart.

You said to me that my children were relaxed because I’m a good mom.

Hearing those words from you meant everything to me.

Thank you.

I carry that comment deep in my heart and think about it when I’m feeling stressed at home.

I love you, mom xox”

The study’s authors write in conclusion:

“This study demonstrates that not only does gratitude ‘work’ to boost well-being relative to an active neutral activity, but that some forms of gratitude may be more effective than others.”

A second related study of almost 1,000 students compared writing unsent gratitude letters with thank-you texts and social media posts that would be shared.

The results showed that all of these methods improved human happiness.

After all the gratitude exercises, the participants reported feeling less lonely, experiencing positive emotions, and enjoying greater satisfaction with life and connectedness.

However, the best method for feeling socially connected in this study was to send a text directly to someone…

The study’s instructions read:

“Use your smartphone to text someone who has done something for which you are extremely grateful, and thank them for their kind act(s).”

In conclusion, the study’s authors write:

“The present study shows that digital gratitude interventions helped meaningfully improve students’ well-being—making students feel happier and more satisfied with their lives, as well as more socially connected and less lonely.”

Final thoughts

Overall, these studies underscore the importance of expressing gratitude in meaningful ways. Whether through writing or digital communication, the act of acknowledging and appreciating others can have a profound impact on our happiness, emotional well-being, and social connections.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

RESEARCH:

Walsh, L. C., Regan, A., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2022). The role of actors, targets, and witnesses: Examining gratitude exchanges in a social context. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 17(2), 233–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2021.1991449