Dr. Laurie Santos has four ways to thwart hedonic adaptation (the idea that you get used to the way it is and your happiness weigns) and improve your happiness.  Today, we dive into the fourth strategy, gratitude.  

Transcript:

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and I was listening to the Yale happiness course by Dr. Laurie Santos and she says if we can find gratitude, feel thankful, feel appreciation, we can boost our happiness.  But we already knew that - right? 

Well, studies have shown that even gratitude lists scientifically boost happiness and, more importantly, it thwarts our hedonic adaptation, that feeling of being used to everything around you.  Gratitude also, scientifically, reduces physical symptoms, like not feeling well. 

The data also suggests that sharing gratitude with others has a massive positive effect on you and the other person too. 

Researchers are also looking at gratitude between couples.  They think that having a gratitude heavy relationship can nullify a bunch of bad traits, like withdrawal and not having good communication between one another.  Folks that are feeling grateful are better off on the happiness scale and frankly, it’s better for your health to practice gratitude.  

So, in that vein, I am grateful for you.  For listening, subscribing, sharing, supporting this podcast.  It really does mean the world to us.  

I hope this gives you some inspiration on improving your happiness, just a little, through gratitude.  Until next time, smash that subscribe button and consider leaving a 5-star review - we would really appreciate it. 

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