The holiday season is an important reminder to express gratitude—not only in your personal life, but in your professional life, too. Feeling valued at work is crucial. In fact, one survey reports 66% of employees would likely leave their job if they didn’t feel appreciated. That’s why communicating what and who you’re thankful for in the workplace is key. But it’s not just a task for people managers and HR. Here’s why everyone should start practicing gratitude around the office.
Gratitude Makes You More Productive
The more someone feels appreciated, the more motivated they will feel to work harder. In fact, a study found that university fundraisers who were thanked by their managers made 50% more fundraising calls than those who weren’t recognized. If a simple gesture, like saying “thank you,” can help you feel valued and motivate, just imagine what going the extra mile could do for a coworker.
Gratitude Increases Job Satisfaction
It’s important to feel satisfied with your job—after all, you spend an average of 90,000 hours of your life at work. Research has linked gratitude—specifically when an organization has gratitude built into its culture through methods like rewards policies—to increased job satisfaction. So go ahead and give that teammate a high-five or a hug for a job well done!
Gratitude is Contagious
Paying it forward works. Research shows the more cooperative and gracious you are to others, the more likely they are to mirror those positive behaviors. And it’s not just the person you directly compliment who benefits; the same study shows gracious behavior can spread up to three degrees (ie. from person to person to person). Help your company build a culture of gratitude by speaking up—give a shout out to a coworker in a meeting or offer kudos to someone on a group email. And if all goes to plan, others will follow.
Gratitude Benefits Your Health
You read that right—gratitude has been proven to benefit your health. Research shows a daily gratitude practice can reduce the effects of heart disease, strengthen the immune system, improve sleep quality, and more. So send those handwritten thank-you notes or treat your colleague to coffee and toast to your health!
Looking to step it up? Learn how Fitbit Health Solutions can help your company develop a successful wellness program, boost employee health and happiness, and improve the bottom line.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Emma Leyton
Emma Leyton spreads the word about healthy living for Fitbit Group Health. A lover of all things related to health and wellness, Emma has a passion for workplace wellbeing and how it positively impacts peoples’ lives. You can find her commuting everywhere by foot, running the hills of San Francisco, roasting brussels sprouts in her oven, and blending smoothies in her Vitamix.
Great piece. Powerful and simple ideas to make work better.
It’s nice to be around the residents who makes people smile and laugh. Some come up with some kind of jokes all the time. I get to learn more about different things from the good days from their lives. I enjoy helping the residents get what they want and need. I’m here to serve them. I like to learn more about different sickness.