Daily Gratitude - Nanette M. Holloway

A daily practice of gratitude equals a mental health boost. Even in the middle of difficulties. Gratitude is a choice during the storms of life. But the benefits remain constant, and the truth of the matter is that circumstances could always be worse.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic certainly increased the incidence of depression and anxiety in our population.

And mental health professionals are using gratitude as an an efficient and low cost tool along with other forms of treatment and counseling to benefit those having difficulties.

Benefits of Daily Gratitude

~Our inner voice is constantly chatting within our brain. Gratitude improves and feeds positive self-talk.

~Unshackles us from toxic emotions that can overtake our minds. Instead of obcessing about the negative, choose to see the good in that chaotic, confusing or otherwise difficult situation.

~Gratitude helps us use less negative emotion words.

~People are happier and less depressed.

~Gratitude is easy to practice, but may take time. Try 30 days of gratitude.

Studies Show

~MRI studies showed that the medial prefrontal cortex had greater activation, indicating lasting effects on the brain.

~The medial prefrontal cortex is responsible to cognitive thought, regulation of emotions, motivation and socialization.

~Conversely dysfunction of the medial preftontal cortex has been found in depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to name a few.

~Gratitude improves mental health. Practicing gratitude helps us be even more grateful and happier over time.

~Diminishes inflammation

~Increases optimism

~Improves sleep

~Opens your mind to the goodness that is already there.

~Helps you stop and smell the roses God has placed in your path.

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”~Henry David Thoreau

Keep praying about your castles and don’t stop.😊

Are you ready to start your list? You can even center your list around person or circumstance that is bothersome to you. Perhaps a difficult supervisor. Maybe you will find something positive that may have been overlooked or taken for granted.