Gratitude

Live OUT Loud Podcast

River + Michele discuss the topic of gratitude, but not in the way you are thinking. Yes, having gratitude can help with emotional regulation and dysregulation:

• Brain function Gratitude can activate the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for emotional regulation, decision-making, and empathy.
• Balanced perspective Taking time to find things to be grateful for can help balance a negative perception and improve mental health.
• Coping with stress Gratitude can help people cope with stressful, negative, and frustrating situations.
• Improved mental health Gratitude can lead to:
  • Better mental health
  • Fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Increased happiness
  • Improved satisfaction with life
• Improved physical health Gratitude can lead to improved physical health.

To practice gratitude, you can:

• Think of things you're thankful for, like family, friends, your home, or a sunny day
• Write down or say aloud what you're thankful for
• Celebrate small victories

However, gratitude can become toxic if it's used to repress or deny negative emotions. To avoid this, you can:

• Allow yourself to feel all of your emotions, including negative ones
• Don't force gratitude when you're feeling upset
• Focus on your physical sensations

We hope you enjoyed this episode.

Lotsa love,

Michele + River