Be Thankful, for better immunity & health..

Written by Guest Writer: Rachel Levin, MS

We’re all challenged to find new Covid-friendly ways to celebrate the holidays this year. You’re not alone in being bummed that this year may lack your favorite traditions (and favorite people). But with change comes an opportunity to focus on what we do have.

Practicing gratitude is simply taking time to reflect upon what you’re grateful for.

When we practice gratitude, the expectation is not to be grateful for everything. It doesn’t mean we love every minute of the day, and it certainly doesn’t mean we’re not annoyed with that pile of dirty dishes or email inbox that won’t quit. But it does mean we acknowledge gratitude for something.

Did that morning coffee taste extra tasty this morning? Share your gratitude. Did you feel extra cozy watching Netflix in bed? Share your gratitude. Did your dog give you a warm greeting when you got home from the grocery store? Share your gratitude. Gratitude knows no limits. And it has excellent physical, social, and psychological benefits, too.

A natural antidepressant

Filtering your mindset to focus on positive acts that bring you joy acts as a natural antidepressant. Neuroscientists discovered the link between positive thinking and activation of certain neurotransmitters – like dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters earned the reputation of “happy chemicals.” 

When we feel good, we’re able to do things to keep feeling good. People inherently want to feel better, but when we’re already so strained from stress or lack of sleep, we have difficulty making beneficial behavior changes. These behavior changes, like meditation, deep breathing, and exercise, require us to feel well enough to make good choices purposefully. And generally, when we’re stressed and tired and depleted, we don’t have the energy for these actions. 

Drink from the fountain of youth and health

Gratitude actually changes your brain’s neural pathways, combats chronic stress, and strengthens our immune system — generally boosting our well-being. Research shows that our parasympathetic nervous system, or rest-and-digest, is triggered when we think about what we appreciate, versus focusing on the negative thought loop. Rest-and-digest is the part of the autonomic nervous system that we want activated to maintain a healthy immune system to help alleviate illness, chronic pain, and improve quality of sleep. “In studies, after eight weeks of practice, brain scans of individuals who practice gratitude have stronger brain structure for social cognition and empathy, as well as the part of the brain that processes reward,” said Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, the science director of the Greater Good Science Center.

Practice makes perfect it easier

Habits form from repetition. The more we practice anything, the better we get at it, which can help us form neural pathways for positive or negative habits. Practicing gratitude when things we enjoy happen and intentionally taking time each day to pay attention to what is positive actually reinforces our neural pathways to remember experiencing positive feelings and help prevent stress from getting to us. Think of gratitude practice as brain training – by giving thanks for what we have, we can retrain our brains to be stronger and more resilient to stress. On the flip side, if we practice momentarily distracting ourselves from how we’re feeling when we’re stressed, by reaching for the ice cream or taking another scroll through social media, we train ourselves to rely on a habit that might distract us for a moment, but often makes us feel worse.  

Overcome future challenges

Gratitude today makes for a better tomorrow. Once we become practiced in reframing situations through gratitude, we get out of the scarcity mindset and can be more present. 

Research shows that if we’re grateful, we can’t resent someone for having something that we don’t, meaning we’re taking control of negative feelings like envy, regret, and resentment. Resentment is tied closely to the general dissatisfaction with life.

How do I practice gratitude?

We can practice gratitude as prayer, meditation, or journaling. Here are some ways to get started practicing gratitude:

  • Write a thank-you note
  • Keep a gratitude journal
  • During transitions in the day, take a minute to think about what went well. This is a great exercise during work breaks.
  • Look in the mirror or move your body and think about something you like about yourself
  • Text or call a loved one to tell them something you appreciate about them 
  • Take a moment to notice the beauty of your surroundings – trees changing color, a moody sky, a particularly cozy nook in your house that gives you comfort

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