How Gratitude Changes Your Brain 🧠

How can you use gratitude to improve not only your mood, but your overall cognitive performance?

Gratitude is something we’ve talked about quite a bit on this show. You already know that being grateful is good for your mental health. It lowers stress and anxiety, while building resilience and deepening your relationships. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible benefits to your brain health and overall cognitive performance.

I want to do something special on today’s episode. As we enter the season for giving, I want to take a moment to dive into the science behind gratitude and highlight the many ways it can improve your brain.

When you practice gratitude, it can change the molecular structure of your brain. It helps you make better decisions, achieve more, and increase productivity, all while providing you with peace of mind. And in a chaotic world, calm becomes one of the most valuable currencies. Listen in as I give you practical things you can do every day to help you grow more of the things you appreciate.

0:00 Kwik Brain
1:25 Benefits of gratitude
6:11 Kwik Reading
6:37 Science behind gratitude
13:50 How to practice gratitude

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[JimKwik]

Share something you're grateful for in the comments below.
Subscribe so we can stay in touch. ❤
Like this video if it was helpful. 👍

[lesterweinheimer]

I'm very grateful that I found you on the internet. I'm 72 and I wish I would have had a mentor like you when I was younger. I'm telling my children about you because I know you can make a huge difference in their quality of life. You are a lifesaver. Thank you so much!

[brendastanton]

I started a drawing journal 2 years ago and decided that nothing negative would be allowed. If I had gone out to eat, I might draw the restaurant logo and maybe my food. Then write who I was with and how I appreciate them. Even my parents funeral was added with good memories and gratefulness. It’s such a happy book and when getting together with friends, they always want me to bring the journal to see new things that were added. So now it makes others happy as well

[marlenecampbell]

I am so grateful that we are still a family if five people. My oldest son attempted suicide April 2022. Fortunately, there was a glitch in his plan that made him aware of what he was trying to do, so he didn't hurt himself. Since then I have been grateful he is still alive and I don't need anything for Christmas ; my family of five is the most valuable thing in my life.

[DuongTran-mhci]

Gratitude is something I feel all the time. I am, at the 80s, filled with wonders how I am still in one piece physically anf mentally after so many terrible ups and downs in my life. Now every morning I walk into my garden I see amazing nature greeting me at no cost. I am blessed with beautiful and good children and grandchildren. I feel so emotionally grateful to everyone and everything!

[deshonebonyrowland-ward]

I have a friend (we've been friends 33 years) and when she got divorced she asked me to be her gratitude partner.. She said let's list 5 things we are grateful for... In the beginning she could only literally say things like I'm grateful for the sun etc... Because she was hurting so bad...

11 years later we still share gratitude everyday... Anywhere from 10-15 things a day.... I appreciate her in a way that words can't describe.
I'm going to step it up and have my own journal on the side... This is a particularly hard season..

[anastasiamarselly]

THANKS
T : Time, scheduled it! To feel grateful, not just see it, but feel it❤
H : Highlight the moment. Review your day at night
A : Acknowledge other people. Give thanks to other people.
N : Nature. Spend time in nature can release stress
K : Kindness. Giving to others.
S : Savour the small thing. Review, appreciate every small joy, small victory and experience.

[sile]

I do a daily gratitude journal. My daily meditations include gratitude, self love and love and kindness. My life is better for it. Today I’m grateful for my life, warm bed and my plants ❤❤❤❤

[bonitatorres]

My Mom is 90 years old with Alzheimer's but always says "thank you" and "God Bless You.". So it's real!

[jimrose]

I'm in AA. They push Gratitude hard and it does help, big time I start every day with 10 things I'm grateful for

[stevenmccallan]

There is no question that having gratitude is good for the mind, body and soul. I'm grateful to God for giving me life and all that comes with it, both good and not so good.

[MichellleAustin]

I’m grateful for YouTube and the access to knowledge it has given me.

[andreaomegah]

I am grateful for my health, my husband, my family, my job, my birthday next week, and my desire to be better in 2024. Also, grateful for all of you that wrote what you are grateful for, which helped me to write what I am grateful for. ❤

[christiannesanchez]

The moment I wake up gratitude is part of my prayer.

[bevbrownrigg]

I am so grateful that my hubby is still here. He was hit by a car on December 1st in Canada, we live in the US now. He will need surgery on his knee, but it could have been so much worse. I’m going to practice gratefulness and hope that our medical bills will be minimal. So glad I happened across your video this morning.

[rayaperera]

Every morning I work for an hour and that time I say nonstop all the gratitude I have in my life.
Every day when I wake up I look through the window and “Thank you for this day, thank you for the air I breathe, thank you for the gift of life “ the same I do the last before going to bed.
I just started to follow your podcast and I love it. Thank you for great kook tips 🙏

[duvessa]

1. Grateful for this podcast. Will be sharing with my daughter 😊 2. Grateful for job opportunities 3. Grateful for my home, at a time when so many have no home.

[dr.jamesst.michael]

I am grateful for my spouse, for friends, that we have a warm place to live (in Alaska), enough food, for my mentors (like you Jim), and for my health. I am thankful that we have enough finances to pay our bills and to go on a trip soon.

[kathleenpamphille]

I am grateful for LIFE, The Person I am, My Kids and Grandkids, I am grateful for Health❤️

[Tobhiyah]

9:56 This really hit home this morning when it popped into my head unexpectedly two days after listening to this. Negative feelings started to bubble up and I thought, waking up is more valuable than a million dollars and it really moved me. A major aha moment. ❤