Hopecakes Bakery Ottawa

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In the gratitude workshop, youth decorate cupcakes and then write a gratitude letter to someone. Then, they are asked to give them the cupcake and the letter. The goal of this activity is to inspire vicarious joy.

1. Improvement in Mental Health

Research conducted on nearly 300 adults seeking counseling revealed that those who wrote gratitude letters reported significantly better mental health four and twelve weeks after the writing exercise ended, compared to those who only received counseling or wrote about negative experiences. This suggests that gratitude writing can be beneficial for individuals struggling with mental health concerns, indicating that gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions and can have a lasting positive effect on the brain. The practice of writing gratitude letters was found to produce better mental health by shifting attention away from negative emotions, such as resentment and envy.

2. Strengthening Social Bonds

A study by Algoe et al. (2013) demonstrates that gratitude plays a critical role in building high-quality relationships. The research found that expressing gratitude in romantic relationships led to perceived relational growth over six months, suggesting gratitude’s unique power in cultivating and enhancing social bonds​.

3. Long-Term Happiness

Wong’s (2022) Catalyst Model of Change discusses how gratitude interventions can produce enduring effects on well-being. The model suggests that gratitude interventions that enhance the frequency, skills, intensity, temporal span, and variety of gratitude experiences can catalyze behaviors leading to long-term psychological well-being. This includes behaviors such as seeking social support, engaging in prosocial behaviors, and initiating and enhancing relationships.

4. Relationship Maintenance

Gordon et al. (2012) found that gratitude promotes relationship maintenance in intimate bonds. Their research shows that appreciation in relationships leads to more committed and enduring partnerships. People who feel appreciated and appreciate their partners in turn are more likely to respond to their partners’ needs and remain in the relationship over time, highlighting gratitude’s significant role in maintaining close, intimate relationships.