The Science and Power of Practicing Gratitude Introduction In the pursuit of happiness and personal growth, people often overlook a simple yet powerful tool: gratitude . Defined as the conscious appreciation of the good things in life, gratitude has been extensively studied by psychologists, neuroscientists, and behavioral researchers. The results are astonishing — gratitude not only enhances emotional wellbeing but also strengthens relationships, improves physical health, and boosts long-term success. In fact, a study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences found that grateful people experience 23% lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol , while another study by Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough showed that people who kept weekly gratitude journals felt 25% happier than those who didn’t. What Is Gratitude? Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It is a state of being — a deliberate recognition of the positives in life, no matter how small...
Introduction: In a historic move, Turkey has officially ratified Sweden's NATO membership, marking a significant milestone in Sweden's journey to join the military alliance. This development comes after more than a year-and-a-half of delays and negotiations, positioning Sweden closer to the heart of global security cooperation. The Journey to NATO: Sweden, along with Finland, departed from its traditional stance of military nonalignment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In April, Finland became NATO's 31st member after Turkey's parliament ratified its bid. Now, with Turkey's approval, Sweden inches closer to solidifying its position within the alliance. Turkish-Swedish Relations: The ratification process wasn't without its challenges. Turkey, having concerns about Sweden's perceived leniency towards groups it considers security threats, sought concessions from Stockholm. These included measures to counter Kurdish militants, which l...