Is gratitude missing from your life?

NEXT ?? "BRAIN GYM 4 WEEKS WORKSHOP," 21 November

The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain

Our world comes from within. Our thoughts, our feelings, our emotions all shape how we perceive the world.

Some experience an incredible amazing dream, some are experiencing a nightmare. Most are just there. Not even experiencing much, just living out each day the same as the day before. Not really living, kind of just existing.

So what makes the difference? How do we change how we perceive the world?

One word… Gratitude.

We all want a happy life…

A cushy job, a perfect family, financial stability, and a great social life!

And in this indefinite pursuit of happiness that is mostly like a mirage, how often do we spare a minute to thank what we already have at this very moment?

Gratitude is a powerful human emotion. By conveying and receiving simple ‘thank you’ messages, we can truly derive the pleasure that we seek everywhere else. Gratitude, derived from the Latin word ‘gratia,’ means gratefulness or thankfulness.

In its simplest form, gratitude refers to a ‘state of thankfulness’ or a ‘state of being grateful’.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

Gratitude builds professional commitment

Grateful workers are more efficient, more productive and more responsible. Expressing gratitude in the workplace is a proactive action toward building interpersonal bonds and trigger feelings of closeness and bonding.

Employees who practice expressing gratitude at work are more likely to volunteer for more assignments, willing to take an extra step to accomplish their tasks, and happily work as a part of the team. Also, managers and supervisors who feel grateful and remember to convey the same, have a stronger group cohesiveness and better productivity.

They recognise good work, gives everyone their due importance in the group and actively communicates with the team members.

Gratitude makes a leader compassionate, considerate, empathetic, and loved among others.

Gratitude improves health

Gratitude impacts on mental and physical wellbeing. Positive psychology and mental health researchers in the past few decades have established an overwhelming connection between gratitude and good health. Keeping a gratitude journal causes less stress, improves the quality of sleep, and builds emotional awareness.

Gratitude is positively correlated to more vitality, energy, and enthusiasm to work harder.

Benefits of active state of gratitude

Practicing an active state of gratitude can have positive effects on mental

health, as supported by neuroscience research. When we consciously focus

on gratitude, it can help rewire the brain and create new neural pathways that

promote well-being.

?? Here's how this process works from a neuroscience perspective:

1. Neuroplasticity: The brain has the ability to change and adapt throughout

our lives, a concept known as neuroplasticity. This means that our thoughts

and experiences can shape the structure and function of our brains.

2. Default Mode Network (DMN): The DMN is a network of brain regions

associated with self-referential thinking and mind-wandering. It is active

during states of rest or when our minds are not engaged in specific tasks. The

DMN is also involved in rumination and negative thought patterns.

3. Gratitude and the DMN: Practicing gratitude can help shift the activity of

the DMN towards more positive and constructive thinking. By consciously

focusing on gratitude, we redirect our attention away from negative thoughts

and activate regions associated with positive emotions and well-being.

4. Dopamine and reward pathways: Gratitude has been found to increase the

release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and

reward. When we experience gratitude, our brain's reward pathways are

activated, reinforcing the positive feelings associated with gratitude.

5. Stress reduction: Gratitude has been shown to reduce stress levels by

decreasing the activity of the amygdala, the brain region responsible for

processing fear and stress responses. By practicing gratitude, we can help

regulate our emotional responses and promote a more positive outlook.

6. Positive feedback loop: As we continue to practice gratitude, the brain

becomes more adept at recognising and focusing on positive aspects of our

lives. This creates a positive feedback loop, where the more we engage in

gratitude, the easier it becomes to find and appreciate positive experiences,

leading to improved mental health.

?? Gratitude has been shown to have numerous positive effects on our well-being, and neuroscience research provides insights into how it can change our lives. Here are five ways gratitude will improve our life:

1. Enhances Positive Emotions: Expressing gratitude activates the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and other feel-good neurotransmitters. This can lead to an increase in positive emotions, such as happiness and contentment.

2. Improves Mental Health: Gratitude has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can rewire the brain, leading to increased activity in areas associated with positive emotions and decreased activity in areas associated with negative emotions.

3. Boosts Resilience: Gratitude helps build resilience by shifting our focus from negative experiences to positive ones. It can help reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and foster a more optimistic outlook on life.

4. Strengthens Social Connections: Expressing gratitude activates the brain's social bonding circuitry, promoting feelings of trust, empathy, and connection. It can deepen relationships, improve communication, and foster a sense of belonging.

5. Enhances Overall Well-being: Gratitude has been found to improve overall well-being and life satisfaction. It can increase self-esteem, promote better sleep, and reduce stress levels. By focusing on what we are grateful for, we cultivate a more positive mindset and outlook on life.

?? Next "BRAIN GYM 4 WEEKS WORKSHOP," which will take place virtually on Zoom every Tuesday from November 21, 28 November 2023 and 05, 12 December 2023, at 7 PM (UK time).

? Tickets: https://buy.stripe.com/8wM17PbTE64a7sIaEW

? Use the Code: NOVEMBER20 to receive 20% off.

More information: https://www.eldinhasa.co.uk/braingymworkshops

This workshop aims to provide you with the latest cutting edge tools from neuroscience to help address the root cause of your challenges and achieve remarkable personal growth, healing and transformation.

- Discover the root causes of your challenges

- Learn effective techniques to improve mental health, heal anxiety and PTSD

- Overcome past trauma and release emotional burdens

- Remove self-limiting beliefs that hold you back

- Rewire your brain for success and abundance

- Transform your life in just four weeks

Reserve your spot today and take the first step towards a brighter future!

Understand the brain's reward system: Learn about how addiction affects the brain's reward circuitry and the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine.

Identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with addiction.