The science of gratitude

How can gratitude practicing improve your health and change your brain?!

🍂It's winter in new zealand, and I am definitely not a fan of cold weather 😂

🍂In pre-covid times, we loved to travel, and would live simply most of the year, to save for an overseas adventure during the chillier months

🍂Not being able to do this has actually been pretty tough as I LOVE travel... I know in comparison to the struggles facing many its pretty minor, but travel is a huge thing for us, and acknowledging this is OK

🍂Gratitude practice has been a life changing discovery over the past year - learning to look around and appreciate what I have, rather than focusing on what I don't have 🧡

🍂Did you know that practicing gratitude can literally change your body and mind?!

It does this by :

🍂Triggering the release of 'happy' hormones (serotonin & dopamine)

🍂Reducing pain levels (via dopamine)

🍂Improving sleep (through activation of the hypothalamus)

🍂Reducing cortisol (stress hormone)

🍂Growing the grey matter (brain cells) in the 'gratitude area' (right anterior temporal cortex) making gratitude progressively easier each time

🍂Reducing anxiety and depression (through release of happiness hormones and activating the parasympathetic nervous system)

It also changes social connections by

🍂Improving relationships with your partner and family

🍂Improving efficiency, productivity and social bonds at work

🍂Increasing sense of wellbeing, kindness, and community

It literally makes you happier!!

If you're new to this, it's pretty simple

🍂Try setting a goal of thinking of 3 things you're grateful for on waking

🍂If you find yourself in a negative space, think of 3 things that are good, and you appreciate

🍂If you feel overwhelmed, think of one or two things that make you happy

The more you do it, the easier it gets 🧡

https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/#:~:text=When%20we%20express%20gratitude%20and,feel%20happy%20from%20the%20inside.