In what ways might the mere consideration of thanks alter your whole day? At first, this may appear as something insignificant. However, the pursuit of gratitude is, without a doubt, one of the most effective tools that we, as human beings, possess.
Gratitude represents a method whereby we might alter our inner realm, causing, as a consequence, an alteration in the outer realm as well. Gratitude is more than merely expressing “thank you” as a gesture. Gratitude is something that changes our perspective.
Gratitude helps us focus on the better things that already exist in our lives. Gratitude draws attention to every aspect of the good in our lives, starting from the smallest things that give us pleasure, right down to the greatest blessings that we might be enjoying.
The Science of a Grateful Heart
When we choose to focus on the feelings of gratitude, something truly remarkable takes place in our bodies. Scientific studies have shown that the effects of thankfulness directly relate to our physical and mental well-being.
Heart and Brain Coherence
Gratitude, being one of the most powerful states, helps generate coherence between the heart and the brain. Coherence refers to a condition within the body whereby both the heart and the brain are working in harmony. This is achieved through the synchronized signals that the body emits.
When you take a moment to express gratitude, your brainwaves become synchronized. This coherence helps shift your body from the “fight or flight” mode of stress, relieving your body of stress. As a result, your nervous system will calm down, your blood pressure will lower, your immune system will start working more effectively, and your whole body will rest.
You can do this with ease, as this method only requires that you focus on something you are thankful for.
Rewiring Your Brain for Positivity
Our brains are amazingly flexible, with new pathways being formed every day based on what’s going through our minds. This is called neuroplasticity, and it gives us the ability to alter our thinking patterns. With gratitude practices, we’re essentially telling our brain to focus on the positive.
Neuroscience researcher Dr. Joe Dispenza describes how, through focusing your attention on higher emotions such as gratitude, your brain changes. Over time, new pathways form, allowing positive emotions to naturally emerge. Rather than automatically accessing fear or worry, your brain will begin to expect the positive. You will begin to establish a new “baseline” for your own experiences, one that is founded upon gratitude.
Life may present us with experiences that suggest weight, turmoil, or depression. It may not always be so easy to uncover the direction that will replace such negative experiences with experiences that embody light. Gratitude represents a soft but powerful lifeline that provides guidance through difficult experiences.
Shifting from Lack to Abundance
When we’re struggling, our minds will typically focus on what’s going wrong or what we’re missing. Gratitude turns this cycle around by helping the brain focus on what is, in fact, there and what is good. One thing that might give this person a positive experience would be something as minuscule as gratitude. It might be the warm, comforting feeling that comes with drinking tea, a kind gesture from a friend, or the breathtaking beauty of a sunset. By being aware of such things, you begin to alter your chemistry. According to spiritual leader Sadhguru, your inner experiences depend on your choices in every moment. Gratitude would mean that you choose to live in a world that is abundant, not one that is lacking.
Emotional Resilience
Engaging with a gratitude practice doesn’t mean that you don’t acknowledge the difficulties in your life. Rather, this practice helps you develop the strength that will allow you to handle difficulties. You will be able to cultivate a reserve of your own emotional strength if you allow yourself to reflect on your feelings of gratitude. Gratitude helps you remember your support systems, your own strengths, and the positive experiences that are present within your own life. Having this positive groundwork that you can depend on can serve as a source of strength, especially in those moments that call for a positive disposition.
Ways to Easily Incorporate Gratitude into Your Life
Incorporating the practice of gratitude into your daily routine doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s essential that you pick a method that is most effective for you. Remember, the objective is for this practice to become a habit so that you can see its effects. These are a few ways that you can start:
1. Keep a Gratitude Journal: Among the most helpful tools people use for increasing their happiness is the gratitude journal. This involves taking a few minutes every day to write down three to five things that you are thankful for. These things can be big or small.
2. Practice Mindful Appreciation: Turn ordinary events into experiences of gratitude. Throughout your day, pay attention to the small things that give you comfort or pleasure. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, appreciate the flavors of your favorite dish, or simply listen to your favorite music. In this way, you will focus on the present moment, filling your present experience with gratitude.
3. Express Your Thanks to Others: Practice gratitude. You can begin this practice by sharing your gratitude with the people in your life. You can do this through writing a note, sending a text, or simply thanking someone for the value they bring to your life. Gratitude can do wonders for your level of happiness and positively affect other individuals.
An Invitation to a Lighter Year
Going forward, we must remember that we all hold the tools with which we can create our own experience. By focusing on gratitude, you’re essentially taking control of raising your own frequency, allowing more clarity, joy, and peace into your own life.
We invite you to join us on this journey with purpose. Take one step today. Think of something you can honestly say that you are grateful for right now. Keep that one thing in mind as you hold it within your heart. Fill yourself with the warmth it offers you. This is the start of something more, something that will shine brighter as a future that reflects the wonderful person that you know you are.