Amazing effects on lifting spirits
Last week I was pointing out that the neuroscientist, Alex Corb and author of âThe Upward Spiralâ claims that developing a âgratitude mindsetâ can have amazing effects on lifting our spirits. Hereâs a follow on from that and also a short free meditation download.
A little gratitude can go a long way
A Canadian study showed that merely keeping a âgratitude journalâ for a week helped a group of insomniac students by improving their sleep, reducing worrying and reducing physical problems.
It boosts the production of serotonin through focusing on the positive aspects of life and encouraging more social interaction, amongst many other things.
A Swiss study of nearly a thousand people found that those people expressing more gratitude had better physical health as well as psychological health!
Apparently the greatest effects are found in people who are really depressed and hopeless and the effect of gratitude can even reduce the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
Complex problems donât always need complex solutions
Spending a regular time focusing on things that we are really appreciative of and then finding a way to express our appreciation seems to be a really simple solution to several complex problems. Can it be that easy? If it can bring even a little boost to physical health, reduce worrying and, at least partially, help reduce depressive thoughts, surely it has to be worth giving it a go.
Do you want to know more about what neuro science tells us?
We obviously know when we feel happier, more optimistic, sleep longer and deeper and have more energy. We donât need neuro science to tell us that, but if you are interested in what areas of the brain are stimulated, where dopamine and serotonin are produced when we have a âgrateful outlookâ, then read the book âThe Upward Spiralâ and you can find out these things and plenty more. All written in an easy to read style for the ânon-neuro scientistâ but backed up by references to all the studies he quotes.