Although he Thanksgiving Daywhich is celebrated this Thursday in the United States and Canada, has not been ‘officially’ established in other areas, as happened with the Halloween holiday, we do not want to miss the opportunity, Take advantage of this celebrationWhat evaluation gives us is as simple as telling the truth, what evaluation is The effect of that gratitude on our brain. “Gratitude is a state of mind and an attitude of mind that allows us to Recognize and value the positive things in our lives. From a psychological perspective, gratitude is more than just a positive stimulus response; It’s a practice that develops the ability to appreciate what we have, instead of focusing on what we lack. This approach not only improves our mental well-being, but also has a profound effect on our mental and physical health,” he points out. Anand CeballosPsychologist and collaborator of meditation app Petit BamBou.
If you say thank you, can you be happy?
Maybe you didn’t think about it, but thanks to us Helps to be happy. “Gratitude directs our attention to the positive, to focus on what’s good in our lives,” the expert tells us.
And we can reduce the impact of negative emotions (such as jealousy or depression), which allows us to both relax and be in a more emotionally balanced state. “When we consciously practice gratitude, we can better cope with change and adversity, which also Increases our sense of happiness and fulfillment”, he added.
© Getty ImagesWhat is the effect of gratitude on your brain?
With this in mind, we wanted to go a step further by revealing the effects of gratitude on our brain. Thus, regularly practicing gratitude not only temporarily changes your mood, but can rewire your neural networks. It has been proven Encourages greater emotional resilience and a general tendency toward more positive emotions. As Petit Bambu explained to us, these are some of the benefits:
- Reward system activation. When we feel or express gratitude, the brain’s reward circuitry is activated, particularly areas such as the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, which are associated with pleasure, motivation and reward. This is an important point, as this activation creates a sense of well-being and satisfaction.
- growth of Release of dopamine and serotonin, key neurotransmitters in mood regulation. Dopamine is associated with motivation and feelings of reward, while serotonin is associated with emotional balance. By practicing gratitude, these chemicals flow more easily, improving mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety or depression.
- Strengthening of neuronal connections. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself and make new connections, allows the practice of gratitude to create a stronger neural “pathway,” making it easier to feel and experience gratitude on a regular basis.
- Decreased amygdala activation. The amygdala, which is associated with stress and fear responses, tends to be less responsive when practicing gratitude.
- Greater connectivity in the prefrontal cortex. Practicing gratitude improves the ability to rationally assess and respond to emotional situations, helping people face challenges with a more balanced and positive attitude.
© Getty ImagesWhy is it hard to feel gratitude?
If all these benefits come with it, we wonder why it is so difficult for us to feel and show that gratitude. “The mind wanders, constantly projecting itself (into the future or the past) and it disconnects us from the present moment,” he explains. It is precisely this state of disconnection that allows us to overlook the small things in our daily lives that can inspire gratitude. “Gratitude requires conscious presenceAn active focus on the here and now,” he added.
“Furthermore, from an evolutionary perspective, the human brain is programmed to focus on threats, or the lack thereof. A ‘negativity bias’ that leads us to focus more on problems or flaws than on things that are going well,” he tells us. A tendency that has helped us survive, but in modern life it creates great discomfort. We think that always There is something to improve or fix; that makes it harder to recognize and be grateful for what we already have.
What to do to feel gratitude
So, we are clear that giving thanks is a beneficial option, but how do we do it? Ananda Ceballos gives us a very real idea: Write a “gratitude journal”. Where to write down three things each day that we feel grateful for. “These can be important events in our lives such as simple things: a quiet moment, a conversation or a nice meal. We can also get into the habit of expressing gratitude to the people around us, verbally or in writing, through messages. To reflect on all that is good in our lives and create a positive Taking a moment before bed to end the day on a note can help Feel gratitude naturally”, he points out.
Another good option that can help us is meditation. “By cultivating mindfulness, we become more aware of the moments, people, and details that enrich our lives, developing a natural appreciation for the ordinary and everyday. Thanks for the meditationGratitude blooms like a flower, rooted in the present world and illuminated by the tranquility of our mind,” concludes the expert.
