Happy September, Friends!
This year we have been focusing on the different aspects of gratitude – what is gratitude, overcoming negativity, types, and tips for developing gratitude.
This month, we’ll focus on The Science of Gratitude.
❤🎵❤🎵❤🎵❤
The Science of Gratitude
Webster defines gratitude as the state of being grateful: Thankfulness.
According to research, gratitude can promote better health, happiness, and wisdom in both us and our communities. It’s not just a pleasant emotion.
Practicing gratitude give us the ability to embrace all that makes our lives unique. It is more than just feeling satisfied for the parts of our daily lives that are presently going well; it also includes being willing to change our perspective in order to see the mercies and blessings we receive every day.
Research on gratitude’s connection to neurology and organizational wellbeing is expanding. New terms like neuroleadership, neurobusiness, neuroinfluence, and neuromarketing are emerging. Well-established leadership development frameworks also provide advantages, such as the way practicing gratitude actively increases emotional intelligence and neuron density. Gratitude is regarded by the University of California’s Greater Good Science Center as the “social glue” for building and nurturing strong relationships.
New neural knowledge can improve organizational frameworks, enhancing corporate rewards and recognition programs. Experiencing gratitude and recognition improves psychological capital, employee engagement, and reduces undesirable behaviors. Globoforce, a multinational company, emphasizes gratitude as a key factor in building a positive culture and boosting productivity, as highlighted in their award-winning book, The Power of Thanks, written by Eric Mosley and Derek Irvine (CEO and VP of Globoforce).
Gratitude enables one to see that they would not be where they are now without the assistance of others.
One of the world’s leading authorities on the science of gratitude, Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California, defines gratitude as having two elements. The first is the declaration of goodness: People can learn to become more aware of the blessings in their lives and learn to see the good in the world around them. Acknowledging that goodness originates from sources other than oneself – that is a higher power, or the natural world – is the second part of gratitude. Put another way, gratitude enables one to see that they would not be where they are now without the assistance of others.
A similar explanation was put forth by Emmons and McCullough who said that:
“Gratitude is associated with a personal benefit that was not intentionally sought after, deserved, or earned but rather because of the good intentions of another person” (Emmons & McCullough, 2004).
Can cultivating gratitude affect the brain?
Gratitude is more than a satisfactory passing feeling, and has been seen as a key to happiness. Scientists have discovered in their research that even written gratitude journals or thank you letters have increased people’s mental health and wellbeing. Neuroscience and psychology have begun to examine how gratitude can alter our brains, and studies have demonstrated that gratitude can:
- Boost the feel-good chemicals
- Regulate stress
- Train the brain to be more positive
- Increase neuronal connections related with social bonding.
- Improve one’s self-esteem.
5 ways Gratitude affects the Brain
Throughout our lives, the brain reorganizes itself in a spectacular way by creating new neural connections. This process is referred to as neuroplasticity, and gratitude can have a big impact on it.
- Increases production of neurotransmitters
Gratitude can have a profound effect on our brains by increasing the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that are sometimes referred to as “feel-good” hormones. These chemicals may be released by our brains when we express thanks, which results in feelings of contentment and happiness. Frequent expressions of thankfulness may enhance our emotions and general mood over the long run.
- Balancing stress hormones
Expressing gratitude can manage stress by reducing cortisol production, calming the nervous system, and promoting well-being by focusing on positive emotions.
- Reorganizing the cognitive process
Gratitude can enhance the cognitive process, shift mindset from negative to positive, and create lasting changes in perception and interaction with the world. Regular practice can train our brains to be more attuned to a positive mindset.
- Strengthen neural pathways
Expressing appreciation in any way can strengthen the brain pathways linked to good emotions. These neural connections have the potential to strengthen with time, increasing the frequency and accessibility of positive and grateful emotions.
- Enhancing key areas of brain function
Studies utilizing function magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans have illustrated that gratitude could stimulate numerous important brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with decision-making processes, regulating emotions, and compassion. This activation may result in immediate emotions of contentment while also contributing to the long-term improvement of cognitive abilities related with these brain regions.
Extensive scientific research indicates that gratitude can significantly improve mental and physical health, enhance wellbeing, increase resilience, enhance relationships, and positively impact physical health. The research offers strong evidence that practicing gratitude (thankfulness) can have genuine health advantages.
The Bible and science agree that practicing gratitude regularly helps to make a person happier.
Man’s natural tendency is to concentrate on the negative. Neurobiologists explain this mentality as an evolutionary advantage for survival, but believers recognize that sin and evil are the root causes of a scared and negative mentality.
The enemy enjoys our despair, and countering this requires intentional effort and hard work. Developing an attitude of gratitude is an effective strategy, as it is connected to spiritual resilience and worship, as evidenced by numerous Scripture passages.
No matter how much we have, we won’t be content if we lack gratitude.
In the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites were lacking gratitude and trust during their 40 years in the dessert. They were ungrateful for the bread and meat that God provided on a daily basis. Their sin of ingratitude lead to the consequence of them being unable to enter the Promise Land – one year for every day the spies had spied out Canaan. Only the two grateful spies, Joshua and Caleb, and the younger generation would arise to enter the land of Canaan through the leadership of Joshua.
God values gratitude so much that He used Jesus’ healing of the 10 lepers as an example (Luke 17:12-19). Only one of the ten lepers that Jesus healed came back to express their gratitude. Disappointed in the majority’s lack of thankfulness, Jesus questioned, “Were not there ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” God gives more grace when He sees happiness and thanks.
Take a moment to reflect on your life as to whether you currently possess an attitude of gratitude or unthankfulness.
- Do you complain focusing only on your problems rather than the answer?
- Are you stuck on focusing on the past and what you do not have?
- Are you willing to accept the things you cannot change and change the things you can?
- Do you look for opportunities to express gratitude for the blessings in your life?
Jesus demonstrated gratitude to God and publicly expressed it for others’ benefit, teaching them to learn to be grateful as well (John 11:41-4).
Research by David Cregg indicates that individuals who are more grateful generally lead happier lives, as exemplified by King David’s Psalm 118.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
❤🎵❤🎵❤🎵❤
I pray that this month as you journal God’s blessings you will feel His presence in every aspect of your life and that you will remain aware of His presence throughout the month.
You can download a copy of the monthly Journaling Scripture Plan here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/JS.September.pdf
References:
- Life Application Study Bible: King James Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2004. Print
- Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714. (1991). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : wherein each chapter is summed up in its contents: the sacred text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs; each paragraph reduced to its proper heads: the sense given, and largely illustrated with practical remarks and observations. Peabody, Mass. :Hendrickson Publishers
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10th ed.). (1999). Merriam-Webster Incorporated
- https://enduringword.com/#commentary
- https://www.mindful.org/the-science-of-gratitude/
- https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/
- https://www.whartonhealthcare.org/the_neuroscience_of_gratitude
- https:///www.calm.com/blog/the-science-of-gratitude
