Is there a dark side to gratitude?

"The word gratitude is everywhere these days. On mental health leaflets and in magazine columns, emblazoned on mugs and motivational posters. All this is the result of more than two decades' research in positive psychology which has found that having a gratitude practice (usually jotting down three to five things you are thankful for most days) brings a host of psychological and physical benefits."

"Yes, there was awe for the generosity of the human spirit, and tender feelings towards the person who had given up their time to help. But there were also quiet feelings of envy or embarrassment, a sense of the superior power of the helper and even what he called negative self-feeling but which today we'd call low selfesteem. The Japanese expression arigata-meiwaku (literally: annoying thanks) gets to the heart of what he meant."

Gratitude practices, often consisting of jotting down three to five things one is thankful for, produce psychological and physical benefits. Regularly noticing blessings increases cheerfulness, a sense of connection, and an inclination to see existing good in life. The practice is simple, free, and can include small moments such as a sunset or a neighbor's kindness. Decades of research in positive psychology underpin gratitude's popularity in culture and mental-health materials. Gratitude directed toward other people can be emotionally complicated and may coexist with envy, embarrassment, a sense of another's superior power, and diminished self-worth. The Japanese term arigata-meiwaku captures gratitude felt as an unwanted, burdensome favor.

Read at www.theguardian.com