This is Coach Kenny‘s blog, and it’s Thankful Thursday! Today, we’re going to talk about the power of thanks and how it can help your brain and your way of thinking. Happiness depends on being grateful, and science has shown that being grateful can change how your brain works.
Practicing gratitude is a strong habit that can change your brain and your way of thinking for the better. Studies have shown that thinking about what you’re grateful for can change the way your brain works and how it’s built. This can improve your ability to control your emotions, make good decisions, and feel happy and content.
One study, which was published in the journal NeuroImage, found that practicing gratitude can boost activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. This is a part of the brain that is linked to social thinking and empathy. This greater activity was also linked to a stronger connection between this part of the brain and the striatum, a part of the brain that helps process rewards and make decisions.
Another study, which was published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, found that thankfulness can increase the density of gray matter in the brain, especially in the right inferior temporal gyrus, which is linked to social thinking and recognizing faces.
Thankfulness can also change the way the brain works. “Gratitude works because it lowers the stress hormone cortisol and raises the feel-good hormone dopamine,” says Dr. Robert Emmons, a top researcher on gratitude. It also turns on the part of the brain stem that makes serotonin, a key chemical for happiness.
So, how do you start being thankful? Here are some useful tips:
Keep a thanks journal: Every day, write down three things you’re thankful for.
Say “thank you” and show respect to others as often as you can.
Take a thanks walk. As you walk, think about all the good things in your life.
Try to be more aware. When bad thoughts come up, try to think about something you’re thankful for instead.
Always keep in mind that being grateful is a habit that takes time and practice to build. But if you do these simple things every day, you can feel the good effects of gratitude on your brain and your way of thinking.
In the end, being grateful is a powerful tool that can change the way your brain works, help you control your emotions and make better decisions, and make you feel happier and more happy. By being grateful on a regular basis, you can unlock the fullness of life and develop a positive outlook.
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Products to consider on Amazon
The 5-Minute Journal – Write three things you’re grateful for to start and end your day.
“The Gratitude Diaries” by Janice Kaplan addresses the science and benefits of thankfulness and offers practical strategies and activities to create a grateful mentality.
“Gratitude Glass Jar” – A glass jar with 365 colored appreciation cards to fill out and save as a daily reminder.
“Gratitude Meditation Cards”—52 cards with daily appreciation prompts and meditations to promote gratitude.
“Thank You Note Cards” – Cards for friends, family, and coworkers.
“Gratitude Stone Set”—six smooth, polished stones with appreciation prompts to foster gratitude.
“Gratitude Coloring Book” – Inspiring phrases and gratitude-themed artwork to calm the mind and focus on thankfulness.
“Gratitude Tree Wall Decal” – A tree with leaves that can be written on.
These products support daily thankfulness and positivity.