Secret to happiness is to show gratitude for even small acts of kindness

When you go out of your way to be grateful, your actions rewire your brain to seek out positive behavior instead of all the negatives that you see around you, Mallory explains.

The results of the survey, conducted by OnePoll for the company, show that if you want a more satisfied life you should simply express your gratitude to people more often, he adds.

The survey found that only three in every 10 people always express gratitude to people in their daily lives. Yet most of those people who always do give thanks said they were “very satisfied” with their lives.

On average, those people who express their gratefulness to others do so about six times a month—and they receive the same degree of appreciation back.

Regional differences

People who live in the southwestern United States must be the happiest in the country—at least when it comes to showing thanks. The survey found that, at 75%, those who live in that part of the country were more likely to express gratefulness than those living in other regions of the country.

They were followed by those in the north-east were only marginally behind at 74%, as were people who live in the midwest (73%). Less likely to show gratitude, however, were those who live in the south-east (68%) and on the west coast (63%).

Type of gratitude

How, then, is the best way to show your gratitude?

Respondents suggested there is a “wrong way” as well as a “right way” to express your thanks to someone. To ignore even a small kind gesture was considered rude.

Most respondents said that smiling and saying “thank you” was the type of gratitude that they preferred to receive most, followed by a written “thank you” note, and physical rewards such as gifts.

Family is first

They said that they received the most gratitude from their partners or spouses, family members, and friends.

Co-workers and bosses were much farther down the list when it came to showing gratitude. Such a response indicates that it is not surprising that so many people feel unappreciated at work.

The types of appreciation that workers would prefer to receive from their employers at work are:

• A raise or a promotion (27%);

• A bonus (26%);

• A reward or prize (23%);

• Being acknowledged publicly (23%) or privately (20%);

• Have their bosses listen to their ideas (22%).

• Giving them time off (21%);

• Better benefits (20%); and

• A thank-you note (19%).

Important to respond

Being grateful can work both ways, the survey found. Most of the respondents agreed that it is rude to fail to respond when someone expresses a simple “thank you.” In a sense, you are expressing gratitude that they said “thank you.”

The survey found that these were the most widespread responses to “thank you”:

• You’re welcome

• My pleasure

• Don’t mention it

• No problem

• Sure thing

• It’s nothing

• No response

Sneezing, too

The survey found, too, that six in every 10 respondents believe it is rude to fail to respond when someone sneezes. These were the most widespread responses that were mentioned:

• Bless you

• God bless you

• Gesundheit

• No response

• Are you OK?

• To your health!