Science News: How Gratitude Physically Rewires Your Brain

Don’t forget to say thank you. Throughout our childhood years, most of us had been prompted with this statement—or variation of it. Many have assumed saying Thank you was simply a polite, socially-customary interaction. But research is revealing much more. Showing thankfulness has been proven to affect your entire being. Actually, this basic virtue holds the power to physically rewire the brain.
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Gratitude helps the individual focus on the positive, training their mind to concentrate on the good areas of their life. Living in a state of constant thanksgiving impacts the brain and consequently, the emotions. A study, published in 2016, required some participants to write notes of gratitude and the rest to write expressive thoughts. After twelve weeks, those in the gratitude condition reported significantly better mental health than those in the expressive condition.

Count Your Blessings & Be Healthy

The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching, and that means we’re entering a season charged with brisk temperatures, crowded grocery store lines, and pumpkin spice everything. While this time of year lends beauty—with the trees’ foliage arrayed in spectacular colors—there also comes a busyness. The days get shorter and our to-do list gets longer. In our frenzied rush, we tend to neglect the most important things that fill our lives. Counting our blessings is not only a positive habit to form, but it also can improve our health.
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Researchers have found a connection between gratitude and wellbeing. A study, published in 2003, revealed results suggesting that those who consciously focus on blessings have emotional and interpersonal benefits. When we are thankful for the good things that satiates our days, our minds and bodies respond.