---
title: Rewiring your Brain - Power of Gratitude
date: 2018-02-10T15:05:27Z
modified: 2023-04-19T15:30:01Z
permalink: "https://mindkindmom.com/rewiring-your-brain-power-of-gratitude/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 1028
categories:
  - Mind, Body & Spirit
tags:
  - Mind, Body & Spirit
  - brain
  - Healing
  - Psychology
  - Relationships
featured_image: "https://i.imgur.com/KPcDDj8.jpg"
featured_image_alt: Woman_Gratitude
timestamp: 2023-04-19T15:30:01Z
---

In his book [The Upward Spiral](http://amzn.to/2ETbcbM), neuroscientist Alex Korb demystifies the neurological processes in the brain that causes depression and offers effective ways to get better―one little step at a time. One of the most important steps to improve our state of [mind](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/theory-of-mind-trauma-affects-our-social-functioning.md) is by feeling grateful.

Gratitude is a skill that can be cultivated with some effort on our part. It means becoming mindful of our blessings.

![gratitude grateful blessing practice mind brain appreciative happiness](https://i.imgur.com/KPcDDj8.jpg)

**Gratitude is a habit that must be practiced daily**### Benefits of Gratitude

Developing feelings of gratitude causes brain changes. Feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces the neurotransmitter [dopamine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine) that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. It also boosts [serotonin](https://www.psycom.net/serotonin), the feel-good chemical. Trying to think of things you are grateful for forces you to focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Bessel Van der Kolk, the author of the book [The Body Keeps The Score,](http://amzn.to/2EzIEGq) explains how gratitude heals trauma by changing perceptions and improving our feelings of safety. The [vagus nerve](https://sarahnegus.com/the-vagus-nerve-the-nerve-of-compassion/), the most important nerve in our body is activated by acts of compassion and gratitude**.** It is responsible for feelings of calm, peace, and relaxation throughout the body and is a major brake on inflammation in the body.

Studies have shown that gratitude improves the functioning of immune systems, lowers blood pressure, and improves sleep. Psychological benefits of gratitude include more happiness, joy, and pleasure as well as increased alertness. People who are grateful also have fewer negative emotions — resentment, envy, and [regret](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/dont-let-regrets-ruin-your-present-embrace-amor-fati.md).

### Practicing Gratitude – Hunt the Good Stuff

One of the first Resiliency skills of the U.S. Army’s Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, or[ CSF2 program, ](http://csf2.army.mil) is gratitude. **Hunt the Good Stuff** as it is called. It counters negative bias, creates positive emotion, and notices and analyzes what is good. Recording three good things each day and writing a reflection next to each positive event about one or more of the following topics:

- Why this good thing happened
- What this good thing means to you
- What you can do tomorrow to enable more of this good thing
- Finding ways you or others contribute to this good thing

Alternatively, one can keep a gratitude journal, write a gratitude letter, or say a simple thank-you to our friends and family.

### Remember to say thank you-TED Talk by Laura Trice 


It is not easy to feel grateful in the face of problems and trials. But we need to make an effort to find something that is good in our lives. Our health, our [family](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/breaking-bad-becoming-the-black-sheep-of-the-family.md). the food and shelter we have. Renowned cinematographer [Louie Schwartzberg](https://movingart.com/) says **“Cultivate gratitude as if it is the first day and the last of your life. Begin by opening your eyes…”**

##### Image Source: [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/en/users/4653867-4653867/)

## Further Readings:

[Good Bye Ouchies and Grouchies Hello Happy Feelings!](https://www.amazon.com/Ouchies-Grouchies-Hello-Happy-Feelings/dp/1507869754/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=930d5422fdd9ef99d7015afe0a5328ad&language=en_US)

[The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles](https://www.amazon.com/Biology-Belief-Unleashing-Consciousness-Miracles/dp/1401923127/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=9fd734595a966cd073fcc4aa379fec60&language=en_US) – Bruce Lipton

[Redirect: Changing the Stories We Live By](https://www.amazon.com/Redirect-Changing-Stories-We-Live-ebook/dp/B004QX078W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=8c7a98f86ac038d611a21adcdf00e487&language=en_US) – Timothy Wilson

[Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead](https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1470814757/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=91349ccb2ba28c909dc1354a35be2beb&language=en_US) – Brené Brown

[How Healthy Brain Makes You Happy: Ultimate Guide For Teens To Make Their Brain Healthy, Strong, And Boost Internal Happiness With Positive Thinking](https://amzn.to/3ol7wud) – K. Dixon