How Gratitude Changes Your Brain

When people ask for my top three “hacks” for personal effectiveness, they’re usually surprised by my answer: gratitude, meditation, and sleep. They’re even more surprised that in a book about study skills, I devote multiple pages to gratitude.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I think it’s only appropriate that today’s message center on gratitude, because in my opinion, GRATITUDE CHANGES EVERYTHING. 

But let’s start with the brain. When we’re in a state of gratitude, the brain shifts into an alpha state, and our bodies release feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, while cortisol (the stress hormone) decreases. The result?

• We feel more calm and creative 

• We’re more receptive to learning

• Dopamine boosts focus and motivation resulting in greater productivity

• Lower cortisol reduces stress and brain fog

• And positivity can even improve our attention span 

In short, gratitude not only helps us feel better, it also helps us think better.

That’s why gratitude is my secret weapon; you cannot master anything until you’ve learned to master your own mind. And while we can’t control our circumstances, we can manage our mindset. 

Gratitude keeps us focused on what we have, rather than what we don’t.

So as we enter a busy and often stressful season, I encourage you to pause…and thoughtfully consider what you’re grateful for. Let’s aim to make “thanksgiving” not just a holiday, but a daily practice and a lifelong mindset.

✨

If you want to learn to master your mind this season, start with my book’s “Beginner Guide to Gratitude & Meditation.” You can get a signed copy at 50% off, now through Black Friday. Go to the “Offerings” tab on my website and use code GRATEFUL50.