The right anterior temporal cortex. Yep. That's the part of our brains where the magic of gratitude takes place. Now, STOP!! Before you roll your eyes and scroll to the next section, let me share with you that "gratitude changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps the gray matter functioning, and makes us healthier and happier." At least, that's what the folks at UCLA say.
There are more than a few science-based benefits of saying a silent thank you to your bed, your assistant, or your Spotify account. (Or yourself.)
Here are some benefits of practicing gratitude:
Better sleep/wake cycles
Stronger immune system
Enhanced mood, positive emotions, and thoughts
Stronger relationships
Increased satisfaction with yourself
Optimal blood pressure and cardiac functioning
Gratitude is not a woo-woo nice-to-have extraneous practice that might help you in the long run. Gratitude is a proven way to improve your mental wellbeing and your physical health.
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Madhuleena Roy Choudhury, in an article in Positive Psychology, says,
"When we express gratitude and receive the same, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, and they make us feel ‘good’. They enhance our mood immediately, making us feel happy from the inside. By consciously practicing gratitude everyday, we can help these neural pathways to strengthen themselves and ultimately create a permanent grateful and positive nature within ourselves."
So, how do we begin a working gratitude practice? Great question. Here are three ways:
A good start is saying thank you to others. I have an alarm set on my phone every day at 4:15 pm to remind me to say a quick thank you to someone in my life. It takes less than three minutes (if I send a text or email) and it makes me feel fantastic.
After learning to thank others, we can move to recognizing things, circumstances, and opportunities in our lives. A simple way to do this is keeping a journal of three-five things you're grateful for every day. I purchased a fancy leather notebook at one of the last Barnes & Nobles in the world in which to write all the things I'm grateful for.
Last, and often most difficult, I am learning to thank myself. I have learned to say thank you for the hard work I do, for the love I show to my family and friends, and for the wisdom I am gaining through my work with my mental wellness company.
So, do you want to alter your brain's neural structures to live a life that's happier? Well, according to researchers at the Mindfulness Awareness Research Center of UCLA (and many other folks), gratitude is the way to go.
And the happier you are, the more light you can bring to the world. And (arguably more importantly) yourself.
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Thank you for reading!
Love,
Michelle