It's Gratitude Season

Happy almost Thanksgiving (if you’re in the US). It is the season of gratitude, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of this time of year. Gratitude is important all year long, however, and not just because it’s a “feel good” thing. It’s actually good for your brain!

Work Your Gratitude Muscle

Just like any muscle, gratitude gets stronger the more you use it—one of the reasons I return to this topic year after year. Each time you pause to appreciate something, you reinforce the brain’s pathways connected to gratitude. Research shows that these moments of appreciation activate parts of the brain involved in reward, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Over time, those strengthened pathways make it easier to notice what’s good in your life, even in the middle of stress or struggle. One study even found that people who practiced gratitude daily had 23% lower cortisol levels - a powerful reminder of how much impact a simple habit can have.

Name 3 Things

Practicing gratitude isn’t difficult and it just takes one minute (or less!). Try this: Take three slow, deep breaths, then name three things you’re grateful for, out loud or in your head.  Need ideas? 

• Focus on the people in your life. If you think of specific things you're grateful for about them, it will strengthen your relationships.
• Focus on things you do, like a nice walk with a friend or a good night’s sleep.
• Focus on things you already have. I’m often grateful for my home. Even if you don’t live in your perfect home, appreciating it will help you care for it until you find (or make) your dream home. 

Gratitude is like a mini brain workout—one that lowers stress, lifts your mood, and even supports better sleep and digestion. And the best part is that the more your brain gets used to looking for the good, the easier it becomes to choose the actions that truly support your life. Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect or ignoring your challenges; it’s simply a way of reminding yourself that more is going right than you might realize. A few small moments of thankfulness might just be the kindest gift you give yourself today.

And hey, I’m grateful for you for being here to read this… all the way ‘til the end!

Want to learn more about gratitude? Check out this past post or listen on my podcast.