Cultivating joy can seem difficult, especially after more than a year of social isolation, political turmoil, sickness, sadness, and other challenges to your well-being. We get it. But did you know that showing gratitude for others is actually a tool you can use to reconnect with lost joy.

Research shows that acts of kindness and gratitude positively impact our well-being. In scientific studies, people who practice gratitude exhibit lower levels of stress and depression, cope better with adversity, and sleep better. Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and even improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol, which directly impacts stress levels. Physiologically, kindness can positively change your brain. (You read that right!)

Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being, and cause the pleasure/reward centers in your brain to light up. 

In today’s episode we’re looking at gratitude with a new lens. We chat about what gratitude is, is not, and how to practice it in new ways so you can start experiencing all these amazing health benefits. 

Need one more reason to listen? November is National Gratitude Month. So what are you waiting for? Listen now.