Gratitude is much more complex than looking on the bright side.
Gratitude and mindfulness often feel overused in wellness conversations. They are often thrown out as the answer to just about everything.
Synonyms for gratitude include appreciation, thankfulness, acknowledgment, recognition, credit, regard, and respect.
Interestingly gratitude is also listed as a synonym for a sense of obligation and indebtedness. For many practicing gratitude leads to feelings of guilt. There are many things many of us think we should be grateful for.
In the face of the recent bomb cyclone atmospheric river, I felt a sense of true deep gratitude. A feeling that was very different than what I have previously felt when keeping a gratitude list or when gratitudes were shared at huddles or before a meal. This gratitude felt like a deep sense of peace. It was not a feeling that could be practiced.
When you feel truly grateful, you feel a deep sense of wellness, connection, and healing.
Your brain releases positive neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which contribute to the feeling of contentment- even amidst a storm.
Science shows gratitude can help to counteract negative thinking patterns and reduce rumination on negative experiences. It also enhances your ability to cope with stress and challenges by providing a more optimistic perspective. Grateful people tend to be more empathetic and express appreciation towards others, which leads to stronger and more positive relationships. Studies show that practicing gratitude can also improve sleep quality.
Beyond gratitude, mindfulness offered many helpful tools for navigating through a historic storm with more grace and ease.
Listen to hear what, why, and how attention, intention, self compassion and kindness, and acceptance can help.
What are you grateful for? What are you appreciative of? Do you have any “should be grateful” thoughts?
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*Nothing shared in the Mindful Healers Podcast is medical advice.
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