Episode 31: The Power of Gratitude to Build Resilency
So, what is resilience? Words and concepts most commonly associated with resilience include: persistence, the ability to “bounce back” after a setback, and the ability to cope during times of adversity. At its most basic, resilience is made up of those mindsets/beliefs/internal values we possess along with a set of specific strategies we employ during the tough times. Resiliency is two things: how we think and what we do (Ungar, 2017).
So, where should we start? Lean in and hang on – I’ll show you a powerful place to begin.
First, start by practicing gratitude. Lots and lots of it. Gratitude isn’t about ignoring the challenges in life, it’s about recognizing the blessings. It’s about taking time to realize that there are good things in life – specific things - that surround you on a daily basis.
Expressing thankfulness, appreciation, and gratitude shouldn’t be something we save for Thanksgiving dinner or the kumbaya campfire moments when we are away at a retreat. When gratitude becomes a daily habit, amazing things happen. For example, focusing on gratitude stimulates the hypothalamus in the brain (which helps to regulate stress) and the ventral tegmental (part of the brain’s reward and pleasure system) (Zahn, et al, 2009). In other words, gratitude helps you manage stress and makes you feel better.
Consider some other things we know about the power of gratitude:
- When compared to times of stress, worry, and anxiety, the brain is more efficient and reflective when we focus on gratitude (Amen, 2016).
- Expressing gratitude produces mental health benefits (Wong & Brown, 2017).
- Grateful people are physically healthier and sleep better (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
- Demonstrating gratitude reduces negative thoughts and feelings (DeWall, 2011).
Hopefully I’ve convinced you. Gratitude matters. It matters because gratitude helps to re-orient our thinking and empower us during times of stress. Expressing gratitude is a great way to take care of yourself. https://www.bryan-harris.com/the-power-of-gratitude-to-build-resilency
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