Good Life Tip: Gratitude Letter

Posted by Jerry Lopper Feb 6, 2007

Gratitude is a wonderful feeling of thanks that, when expressed, brings positive emotions to both initiator and recipient. To experience this for yourself, think of everyone who has been kind and helpful to you, but have not heard your personal expression of thanks and gratitude. Consider parents, teachers, coaches, friends, and relatives; all those who might be "expected" to be kind and helpful because of the relationship or their job.

Write a gratitude letter to the person you pick, expressing your gratitude and why you are grateful in specific and concrete terms. If at all possible, deliver it personally and ask the person to read the letter in your presence. If personal delivery is not possible, mail, fax, or email the letter and follow up with a phone call.

In research studies, both initiator and recipient of the gratitude letter report positive outcomes. Those who are habitually grateful are found in studies to be happier than those who are not. Use your gratitude letter to reinforce the benefit of continual gratitude expression.

Source: A Primer in Positive Psychology, Christopher Peterson.