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While severe cases benefit from professional help, cultivating gratitude offers a meaningful way to lift spirits and enhance well-being, no matter your age.

What you should know: Gratitude, rooted in the Latin word gratia (grace, graciousness), involves appreciating goodness in life and recognizing its sources beyond oneself, fostering connection with others, nature, or a higher power. Research consistently links gratitude to increased happiness, better health, improved relationships, and resilience.

Put it into practice: You can cultivate gratitude through simple practices like writing thank-you notes, mentally thanking others, keeping a journal, counting blessings, praying, or meditating on things to be thankful for. Over time, these practices will help refocus your attention on what you have, rather than what you lack, fostering a more content and positive mindset.