In the weeks leading up to Diwali, media coverage often centres on what to eat and what to avoid during the festivities (and I admit, I’ve contributed to that myself). For this piece, however, I decided to take a different approach, especially now since some of that festive fervour has subsided.
Diwali is usually associated with cleaning, sweets, lights, and rituals—especially the pooja, where we seek blessings for wealth. Recently, the wellness aspect of Diwali has been revisited in popular discourse, reminding us that Dhanteras also celebrates the birth of the Father of Medicine and Ayurveda, Dhanvantri. This is a timely reminder that true dhan (wealth) is health. Inspired by this, I’d like to suggest incorporating gratitude into our lives, alongside our usual festive practices.
Simply put, gratitude is the quality of being thankful. Research has already shown that gratitude can boost our mood, but there’s even more reason to embrace it. Numerous observational studies have found that gratitude is associated with a lower risk of depression, healthier biomarker profiles, better sleep quality, and other positive health outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry (October 2024) delves into the role of gratitude and its positive association with health and wellbeing. This significant study of 49,275 female nurses offers empirical evidence: those with the highest gratitude scores had a 9% lower risk of death over a four-year follow-up period. This finding suggests a possible link between gratitude and reduced mortality risk, highlighting that being thankful may indeed be associated with greater longevity, particularly in older adults.
While many believe that a person’s tendency to feel gratitude is relatively fixed, evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggests that gratitude can be cultivated. There are simple, cost-effective practices for enhancing gratitude, such as maintaining a journal to note a few things each day that are worth appreciating. Practicing gratitude is accessible to anyone who wishes to try it.
So, as we enjoy the treats and the joy of Diwali, let’s also savour the positive experiences that often pass by unacknowledged. This Diwali season, let’s remember to appreciate both the big and small blessings in our lives—our real dhan.
Neelanja Singh
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Ms. Neelanjana Singh, Nutrition Consultant & Author |
