You may have heard the saying “what you focus on grows.” This is true when it comes to the power of gratitude. How often do you stop and reflect on what you’re grateful for?
Our brains are hardwired to keep us safe, so they are acutely aware of potential threats in our surroundings. The practice of gratitude helps to counteract this response and creates an abundant mindset instead.
You can’t always alter or control your circumstances. However, you can change your perception of them. By cultivating gratitude, you’ll start to notice the limitless positive things you encounter in everyday life.
What the science says
Are you familiar with the idea that neurons that fire together, wire together? It means that thoughts can trigger our in-built emotional responses. This makes gratitude a powerful practice. In fact, gratitude can change you and your brain; people who express and feel gratitude have a higher volume of gray matter in the right inferior temporal gyrus. Plus, it boosts serotonin (the happy hormone) and activates dopamine (the feel-good hormone). Evidence also shows it enhances prefrontal cortex activity, the area associated with learning and decision-making!
The benefits of practicing gratitude daily are also associated with increased self-worth, heightened resilience and generosity, and reduced anxiety.
Amazingly, while feeling grateful positively affects the brain, expressing gratitude goes one step further. By strengthening the brain’s neural circuits towards gratitude, it biases the brain to focus on feelings of gratitude in the future. What a remarkable self-fulfilling prophecy!
Start today:
1. Put pen to paper and keep a daily gratitude journal.
2. Amass a jar full of blessings in your life by creating a gratitude jar. Every week (or as often as you’d like), set aside a minute to note down one major thing you’re thankful for.
3. Meditate! Being grateful requires awareness of the present moment. Keep up with your daily practices in soulloop app.
4. Spend time with those you love to boost positive emotions and appreciation. It enhances your relationships two-fold.
When you reflect, you realize the importance of the small things – they often hold the greatest significance in your journey.
