Fortunately for me I was brought up in a home where gratitude was an important part of our daily routine. High value was placed on good manners, grace before dinner and prayers before bed, all giving thanks for the simple gifts we’d been given and the bright future ahead.
Although my parents believed these teachings would aid our development as good human beings, I’m not sure they fully realised the impact it would have on our overall well being.
With new scientific evidence now showing how gratitude can –
- Change our brain
- Make you happier, healthier and more productive
- Boost your immune system
- Improve your relationships
- And even increase your self-esteem and resilience
So let’s investigate how this simple act of being thankful, and the readiness to show appreciation, can enhance every aspect of your life and help you get the most out of your chiropractic care.
How does gratitude change the brain and make us happier, healthier and more productive?
According to UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research, regularly expressing gratitude literally changes the molecular structure of the brain boosting neuro transmitting hormones serotonin and dopamine.
What do these hormones do?
Serotonin – Helps to regulate mood, social behaviour, appetite, digestion, sleep and memory.
It also increases feelings of happiness and regulates anxiety.
Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression.
Dopamine – Helps to regulate movement, attention in learning and enhances feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
How does gratitude boost our immune system?
It’s no secret that stress can make us unwell particularly when we can’t cope with it and it is linked with 2 leading causes of death – heart disease and cancer. Research now shows that when we think about what we appreciate the parasympathetic or calming part of our nervous system is triggered. People who are more optimistic even in the face of stress produce more disease fighting cells in their bodies, hence boosting their immune response.
How does gratitude improve our relationships?
Saying ‘Thank you” not only constitutes good manners but according to 2014 study published in Emotion, it helps you win new friends and moves them more likely to seek an ongoing relationship. Gratitude has also been shown to enhance empathy and reduce aggression with grateful people being less likely to retaliate and seek revenge.
How does gratitude improve our self-esteem and resilience?
Gratitude tends to reduce social comparison, so rather than becoming resentful towards people who have more eg money, friends, better jobs etc (which is often a major factor in reducing self-esteem), grateful people are able to appreciate other people’s accomplishments. Gratitude has also been shown to play a major role in overcoming trauma, i.e. it reduces stress. Grateful people tend to be good at recognising all that they have to be thankful for even during the worst times, hence fostering resilience.
Ways to increase your gratitude in your life –
- Write a gratitude journal. Write 5 things you are grateful for upon waking and 5 things before bed.
- Tell someone what you appreciate about them.
- Look in the mirror and think of something you like about yourself.
- Think about something that went well and think how it made you feel. Practice that feeling.
- When something doesn’t go to plan think of 5 benefits that came out of the experience.
- Regularly connect with family and friends over a meal and, before you start, share what you are grateful for.
How can gratitude help us get the most out of our chiropractic care?
When you get into the habit of expressing gratitude on a regular basis you are building up gratitude reserves. This comes in handy when it is hard to see the silver lining or when negativity seems to be overwhelming. Hence it becomes easier to moderate stress.
Similarly, being adjusted regularly can help your body handle and deal with the stressors of life more efficiently and effectively. In essence chiropractic care helps build up stress response reserves.
Did you know that people under regular chiropractic care have been shown to adapt to stressors better and have more of an internal stress response reserve. This has been shown in heart rate variability research. Follow this link to read a great article. www.chiropractic.prosepoint.net/153672
Although our bodies and nervous systems are designed to handle intermittent stress, a calm and relaxed state, once a stressful event has occurred, is vital in order for our body to calm and recharge. Unfortunately, today in our fast-paced lives it’s harder to return to a calm and relaxed state and this is when a combination of regular chiropractic care and regular practices of gratitude truly come into their own to help “calm the farm” and enhance your overall well being.
So, from everyone here at Coast Chiropractic Kawana we’d like to thank you for choosing us and know that we feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to care for you and your loved ones.
Sally
