How Gratitude can Rewire Your Brain
We know that eating well, exercising, and looking after ourselves are all great strides towards optimal brain and overall health. But what are some of the non-physical things you can do that have a legitimate impact on the functioning of your grey matter? Well, one of them is practicing gratitude. Today, we’re exploring how doing so can trigger real changes in your brain which have long-lasting effects if practiced regularly.
What is gratitude?
For many of us, wishing for things we don’t have and spending time focusing on the negative elements of our lives are part of our normal thinking patterns.
Gratitude is essentially the opposite of that. It’s being thankful and appreciating the things we do have. It can exist in a fleeting moment and develop into an established trait with the help of your brain’s plasticity.
What does gratitude do to the brain?
Scans using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) in studies have revealed a surge in activity within the medial prefrontal cortex when participants experience gratitude. This is the part of the brain that’s associated with both making decisions and learning.
And interestingly, there was a distinct difference in the findings between those who were just feeling grateful and those overtly expressing gratitude, with the latter showing notably higher levels of brain activity.
Gratitude and your happy hormones
Practicing gratitude consistently has been linked to improvements in the symptoms of those suffering from a variety of mental health related concerns. These include anxiety, depression, stress, and even poor sleep quality.
A large part of the reason for this is due to the release of certain neurotransmitters that are linked to improved moods. Specifically, when expressing gratitude, research has shown that the brain releases dopamine.
Another feel-good hormone produced when you exercise gratitude is serotonin, within the anterior cingulate cortex. Increased levels of serotonin help you to feel more relaxed, stabilize your mood, and promote an overall feeling of well-being.
How can you express your gratitude?
If this all sounds good, but you’re not sure where to start with incorporating gratitude practices into your life, here are some simple steps you can try today:
Write a letter of gratitude. This could be to anyone in your life who has helped you in some way, you don’t even necessarily need to send it.
Start a gratitude journal. This might sound time-consuming or in-depth, but it doesn’t need to be. It can be as simple as jotting down one small thing at the end of each day or week that you’re grateful for.
Try guided gratitude meditations. There are plenty of apps out there now that offer meditations to help you focus on the subject of gratitude. If you find it difficult to reflect on the positive aspects of your life, this could be a great option for you.
The lesson? The saying “count your blessings” really does carry a lot of truth. So make sure you savor each and every little thing within your life that you’re grateful for, and express those feelings when you can.
If you're looking to improve your mental well-being and cultivate a more positive outlook on life, consider signing up for brain health coaching to learn how to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. Practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce stress, increase happiness, and even improve brain function. Don't wait any longer to start reaping the incredible benefits of gratitude – enroll in brain health coaching today and start transforming your life one thankful thought at a time.