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Discovering How to Make the Most of Your Gratitude Practice
Whether you believe gratitude is a feeling, emotion, mood, or some type of personality trait, there is no doubt gratitude elicits greater satisfaction and overall happiness. Science is even proving gratitude to be a great tool in overcoming depression and anxiety.
The act of regularly practicing gratitude may mean a little more mental work, but the dividends far outweigh the effort. More powerful than any pill you can pop, gratitude is a natural mood enhancer.
Why Practice Gratitude?
When it comes to happiness, our focus is often on what we are experiencing on the outside. It is easy to get stuck thinking our particular circumstances determine how happy we should feel. Still, studies from UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center are showing it is much more of an inside job.
Having an attitude of gratitude changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps the gray matter functioning and makes us healthier and happier. When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. You are more peaceful, less reactive, and less resistant.”
UC Berkley’s’s research identified four insights into the psychological benefits of gratitude. (Wong, Brown)
