Gratitude | Why this powerful practice?

“We are a nation hungry for more joy: Because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude.” – Brene Brown

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The Why | What truly is gratitude?
Gratitude is the highest vibration of appreciation for the universe working in your life. It is a universal language between us all. By cultivating gratitude, you open your heart to abundance, inviting positivity and joy into your life. This practice not only nurtures your mental health but also fosters deeper connections with others and enhances your physical vitality.

You may have felt gratitude for the things you care for and value in your life, like members of your family or friends, or for things and moments that brought an embodied sense of connection, joy, love, and deep appreciation.

The science of gratitude reveals it as more than just a fleeting emotion. It is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance mental and physical health, fortify relationships, and contribute to a more fulfilling life.

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The How | Neuroscience & the Brain
From a psychological perspective, gratitude is linked to positive emotions and has been shown to enhance happiness and overall satisfaction in your life.

Research suggests that individuals who regularly practice gratitude experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.

This is because gratitude shifts focus from negative to positive aspects of life, fostering a mindset that encourages optimism and resilience.

Life can be challenging, and we cycle through many different seasons of abundance and hardships. Rather than allowing the external circumstance of our lives to negatively impact the internal world, there is a choice to shift awareness.

What is this here to teach me?

Neuroscience is fascinating and offers us further insights. Studies have revealed that practicing gratitude activates the brain’s reward system, stimulating the “feel good” neurotransmitter.

This means that expressing gratitude can create a feedback loop of positivity, encouraging you to continue recognizing and appreciating the good in their lives – in turn attracting even more things to be grateful for!

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The Practice | Living Gratitude
Let’s put the science of gratitude into practice and start to explore how this emotion impacts your mental and physical health, relationships, and overall well-being.

For this week’s Living Gratitude practice, take time to intentionally prepare yourself for success.

Select a journal or notebook that is only for you and your practice. Set a time each morning to write down 3 things you are grateful for. I’ll break this down more next week, so trust whatever comes up – big to small and everything in between. No judgments!

Start to notice your relationship with gratitude. Try your best to zoom out a little bit and observe your thoughts without judgment. It may be helpful to write down what comes up in your journal or notes app on your phone.

We’ll dive into the many ways to practice gratitude in the next post ✨️