Episode 407: How Gratitude Reduces Anxiety

Gratitude and anxiety cannot coexist. It is a scientific fact that gratitude reduces anxiety. From a physiological and neuroscience perspective, the brain can't experience both anxiety and gratitude simultaneously. The benefits of a gratitude practice can be profoundly impactful. How does gratitude reduce Anxiety? Gratitude reduces anxiety by shifting us from a state of negative thinking to a more positive one. Additionally, the benefits of a gratitude practice include the release of positive hormones in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. When Serotonin and Dopamine are released, stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are reduced. In an article on Research.com, researchers shared 35 scientific benefits of practicing gratitude. The benefits are physiological and psychological. Gratitude can help improve sleep, reduce blood pressure, and prevent overeating. It can also stimulate your immune system, motivate you to exercise more, improve your patience, and help you feel more confident. Additionally, it can reduce envy or jealousy, increase optimism, and make you more forgiving. And the list goes on. Gratitude is powerful. How gratitude and the brain work together. Gratitude evokes positive thinking, thereby fostering cognitive restructuring. Cognitive restructuring is a therapeutic process that involves reshaping negative, potentially detrimental thoughts into more positive and effective ones. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to form and reorganize new neural connections, thereby altering its neural wiring and firing patterns. Both are powerful tools for managing anxiety and dysfunctional thought patterns. Why do you need to start a gratitude practice? There are many benefits of gratitude. Gratitude shifts your perspective to what is going well, rather than focusing on what could go wrong. You can think of gratitude as a natural antidepressant because it releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—positive neurochemicals in the brain. Read the full show notes and access all links. To start a journaling practice, download the free eBook, 15 Journaling Prompts and Scripture Verses, today! Schedule a discovery call with Robyn and start your healing journey today!