Let’s practice an area of wellness you might not think makes that big of a difference. But it does. A huge difference. Plus, hey, it’s pretty easy. And fun. Ready to give it a try? Right now? Yes, we can do this, together, right here. In moments. Cool, huh?

Here we go: What are three things you’re most grateful for right now? Think them or write them down. (There is a power in physically — pen and paper — writing them down.)

Did you come up with them? Awesome! Thanks for trying and being willing to experiment. Those are traits that also will carry you a long way on this wellness journey.

Here are the ones that came to my mind just now (3 of many): One: My amazing children. Such smart, funny, grounded, great character, hard working, loving adults. Super proud to call them mine. I know I am blessed. Two: Linus, my dog, who gets me up and moving, is super funny and sweet. Three: My beautiful old home. I always loved the character of old homes, and I now live in one. When I pulled up the other evening after a delicious day at a friend’s, (another thing on my grateful list) I had to stop and take it in — lights on, candles twinkling in the windows, just a warm, welcoming, inviting glow.

Oh, did that put a smile on my face. And warm my heart. And make me realize how darn good my life is, even if there is more that I want. How did yours make you feel? That feeling … that’s the power of gratitude.

But, if you need science, here are results of some studies that demonstrated how gratitude enhances your health:

• Grateful people have been found to have better heart health, specifically less inflammation and healthier heart rhythms. Gratitude even can have a protective effect against further heart attacks if you’ve had one. People who found the good in their heart attack experienced a lower risk of having another. (I know … I know. But there is good. Such as gaining a better appreciation for life since they survived.)
• Optimists overall have a 77% lower risk of heart disease than pessimists.
• Consistently grateful people are less likely to be depressed, anxious, lonely, envious, neurotic or sick.
• In one study, one group of participants were asked to name five things they’re grateful for every day, while another group was asked to list five hassles. Those expressing gratitude were not only happier and more optimistic, they reported fewer physical symptoms (such as headache, cough, nausea or even acne).
• Those with chronic illnesses demonstrate clinical improvement when practicing regular gratitude.
• Severely depressed people instructed to list grateful thoughts on a website daily were found to be significantly less depressed by the end of the study when compared to depressed people who weren’t asked to express gratitude. As if feeling depressed isn’t bad enough, depression is a significant risk factor for disease.
• Participants keeping a gratitude journal reported 16% fewer physical symptoms, 19% more time spent in movement, 10% less physical pain, 8% more sleep and 25% improved sleep quality.
• Feeling appreciative or grateful induces the relaxation response.
• Gratitude boosts your immune system. Stressed-out law studients who characterized themselves as optimistic showed more disease-fighting cells in their bodies.
• Stress hormones like cortisol are 23% lower in grateful people.
• A daily gratitude practice may reduce the effects of aging in the brain.
• Patients with hypertension were instructed to count their blessings once a week. With this, they showed a significant decrease in their systolic blood pressure.
• Gratitude correlated with improved sleep quality, less time required to fall asleep and increased sleep duration.
• Levels of gratitude significantly correlated with feelings of vitality and energy.

All that? Just for getting into a practice of gratitude? That’s a lot of bang for a buck you don’t even have to spend. And, can I say it again? With no — nada, no way, no how — NO risk.