A few years ago, a friend brought me a journal for gratitude. I was happy to receive this thoughtful gift, grateful to be given the journal. At the time, I thought, I already am grateful. I have a lot to be grateful for. However, this journal and the practice of gratitude changed many things in my life. Before I get onto this, let’s dig into this topic a bit more, shall we?
What is gratitude?
The definition of gratitude is, the quality of being thankful; readiness to show support for and to return kindness. It is about recognising and acknowledging the good things that have happened, you have received, you are aware of in a state of appreciation. Where it gets interesting is that being thankful, is feeling pleased and relieved. Gratitude however, goes deeper into appreciation and subsequently, it can produce a chemical reaction in your brain.
How does Gratitude impact your brain?
In 2008, scientists conducted research to measure the brain activity linked to gratitude, it was found that “that gratitude causes synchronized activation in multiple brain regions, and lights up parts of the brain’s reward pathways and the hypothalamus. In short, gratitude can boost neurotransmitter serotonin and activate the brain stem to produce dopamine.” Dopamine is a chemical in our brain for pleasure.
What are the benefits of Gratitude?
Apart from increased dopamine the pleasure chemical in our brain. Multiple scientific research persons have indicated the benefits of gratitude, including benefits to your wellbeing, social (relationships), emotional and psychological states. Gratitude can reduce depression and foster resilience. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that gratitude journaling led to improved physical health and a greater likelihood of engaging in healthy behaviors. This connection between mental and physical well-being underscores the holistic benefits of gratitude
How long do we need to be in the state of Gratitude for maximum benefit?
Lots of scientific research in this space, indicates, in summary, practicing gratitude for 10 – 15 minutes a day, for 6 – 10 weeks can enhance your mental wellness and possibly promote a lasting change in perspective.
Ultimately, to help rewire the brain, we need to create a habit that is in place consistently for between 18 – 254 days. The longer we create this habit, the more it becomes a lifestyle and a habitual way of behaving, so that behaviour becomes automatic.
What are the energetics of Gratitude?
Gratitude is a very high vibration. You may have heard of the expression, like energy attracts like energy. By increasing your rate of vibration, by focusing on being grateful and vibrating highly, you will attract more higher and positive vibrating people into your life. It has been clairvoyantly observed that the vibration of gratitude is similar to the vibration of prosperity.
How to build Gratitude into your life?
There are many ways to build gratitude into your life. If you have a family, you can encourage them to increase their gratitude too, in any of the following ways.
A) The gratitude journey, write down 10 (or more) things you are grateful for, during the day
B) Write a thank you letter to someone to whom you are grateful for
C) Mentally thank people
D) Pray, for those who are religious, can cultivate the use of prayer to be grateful
E) Go through your own gratitude practice in your mind, becoming aware of each of your body parts, no matter how they are functioning, and be thankful to each of them for what they do for you. For example, thank you brain for working so well, for remembering so many things, for calculating and managing my finances so well, for expressing words so kindly, thank you heart for beating continuously, thank you lungs for breathing in clean fresh air and breathing out the used up waste, thank you stomach for processing my food so well… etc
Meditation
Meditation is another way you can build gratitude into your life. The Meditation on Twin Hearts is based on the prayer of St Fransis of Assisi, it focuses on many positive words, including love, peace, joy and includes at the end of the meditation, a space for blessing others. You can take the time here to bless any person you choose and by doing this, finding gratitude and appreciation for those you love, who are in need and or who you care about.
You are welcome to join our free weekly Meditation on Twin Hearts, to find out availability and timings, visit: www.phwn.com.au or email: info@phwn.com.au
What are you Grateful for?
There are so many things to be grateful for… Your friends, your family, your education, the roof over your head, your personality? Go deeper, a lot of us can be grateful for, the running water in our homes the electricity that lights up our spaces, the sunshine, the grass, the trees, the cup of coffee or tea, the service people who collect our litter, the friend that made you laugh. And what about the air you breath, the life you have, that you are apart of something bigger, you are apart of something spiritual, that there is a higher plan (called transpersonal gratitude). The deeper your appreciation and gratitude, the more you can find these things in your life to have appreciation for, the stronger the benefits garnered from gratitude can occur.
Personally, I started my gratitude practice on a deeper level a few years ago with the gift of my gratitude journal. I’ve never looked back, I have noticed the change in the way people interact (energetically and physically) when you say a heartfelt thank you and the attraction of better relationships and things in my life. Why not try this out, it’s free, simple to do and scientifically proven to host a wealth of benefits.
Start today. Reflect on you and your life and enjoy the benefits of gratitude. Be aware of your many things to be grateful for and transform your life into the extraordinary, beautiful life you desire.
For more information, visit: www.phwn.com.au