A Deep Sense of Gratitude- and its Heterogeneity

Let us deviate from the usual definition of gratitude and commensurate with human physiology.

Expressing gratitude releases Dopamine (a chemical neurotransmitter) from the nucleus accumbens (brain structure).

Dopamine is transmitted through neurons to the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (brain structures), activating stress-reducing hormones such as serotonin, oxytocin, and norepinephrine.

These hormones bind to the receptors throughout our body and produce their effects. The body's nerve cells, muscles, and glands absorb these hormones, bringing muscle relaxation, happiness, stabilized mood, reduced anxiety, help with sleep, and overall well-being. Serotonin is called a natural anti-depressant. Therefore, first and foremost, let us understand that expressing gratitude is a must to stay physically and mentally healthy. ?

To expand the concept of gratitude regarding health, consider patients with long-term illnesses like cancer. Practicing gratitude keeps physical and emotional health in check. It helps them stay positive, hopeful, and happy during chemotherapy and radiation. Gratitude generates positive psychological thinking in the human brain, increasing optimism and building self-confidence. It makes the patients feel empowered and eliminates anxiety, depression, fear, and self-doubts. Hence, gratitude helps to shift patients' mindsets by transforming the ideology of illness from suffering and insecure feelings to the ideology of building the concept of well-being and improving their quality of life.

In nursing science, practicing gratitude improves nurse-patient relationships. The patient may feel seen and heard, and at the same time, the nurse may feel valued and appreciated.

In the external world, expressing gratitude may not be a common practice. The deep sense of gratitude is usually an invisible emotion in quietness. Some cultures may be more expressive and practice gratitude readily. In other cultures, people may not express this emotion vocally. They may show gratitude in different forms, such as returning similar gestures. The outcomes of gratitude may become visible in the form of enormous action. For example, a community health worker (CHW) is physically conducting a pest control program for a certain number of houses regarding an outbreak. His car breaks down, and there is no car repair service nearby. A few community people approach him and repair his vehicle. This action shows that the local people were grateful for CHW’s service in their community. Hence, the action of expressing gratitude may ripple on a larger scale.

In our personal lives, expressing gratitude may be a daily practice and the way we carry ourselves as a human being.

Let us mull over a question: What is the value of gratitude? Can we consider this a monetary gain? Can we convert this into something tangible?

Gratitude, as a verb, brings people together; it does not divide. When we express gratitude to our colleagues or family, we let them know they have been acknowledged and appreciated. This is a welcoming and inclusive feeling. When we consciously acknowledge somebody, we stand out from ordinary people and position ourselves more professionally, inclusively, and in a jubilant manner. We may function better in the absence of anxiety, depression, and other feeling of lack. We may improve our performance at work and collaborate with our colleagues and coworkers better. This mannerism may favor our professional development, attracting promotions, raises, and other tangible rewards.

Besides physiological changes in our bodies, gratitude invades metaphysical philosophy and spirituality. Philosophers may explain gratitude as a way of life. We are all part of the ecosystem and connected to the universe. Philosophers explain practicing gratitude by being thankful for what we have and seeing the glass half complete. In spirituality, gratitude leads to peace, happiness, and satisfaction. However, practicing gratitude during chaos, conflicts, and challenges is hard in the real world. In those times, we must discipline ourselves to be in a state of gratitude voluntarily. Similarly, satisfaction, contentment, and happiness may sometimes make us complacent. We may need to practice mindfulness and constructively divert our emotions towards growth.

Upon looking into gratitude's multifaceted nature, I realized a few things: We sometimes experience random encounters, such as things working out well at the last minute or finding clues to our missing puzzle pieces. Suppose we are in a state of gratitude in those moments. In that case, we might have just released the chemical neurotransmitters in our brain's memory, creativity, and critical thinking centers, which helped solve those problems. ?

My aha moments of experiencing a deep sense of gratitude:

1. My father—We never had a chance to have an open conversation about his childhood stories until recently. He mentioned that he could not pursue further education as he wished, but he is happy that his children completed it for him. I was filled with quiet gratitude.

2.?My mother- She was why I pursued a nursing career. Deeply grateful.

3.?Dr. Freysteinson—My PhD dissertation chair. She has supported me throughout my most laborious journey. She is my divine Guru.

4.?A few other mentors, colleagues, family, and friends- who have pushed my limits, made me realize my potential, stepped down to give me space, and given me unconditional love. For all of this, I am filled with gratitude. Sometimes, we are so busy with the daily grinds that we miss out on acknowledging gratitude to genuinely deserving people.

With a grateful heart, I will ask my readers to pause and think about what and whom they are grateful for and encourage everyone to practice gratitude today and every day.

Gratitude is a way of life.

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