#mentalhealth #bodymind #PTSG #lowerbp #TBI #cancer #therapy #counseling #texas #grateful The Miracle Cure That Lowers Blood Pressure, Increases “Anti-Aging” Hormone & Improves Mental Health and Relationships
Want to lower your blood pressure, improve your immune system, increase production of the “anti-aging” hormone, DHEA and create more feel-good hormones in your body and brain? Are you looking to feel more joy and happiness in your life while decreasing anxiety and depression? Would you like to enhance both your interpersonal relationships and intrapersonal insight? If you want to achieve all of this with a simple (FREE) task, keep reading!
The Biochemistry of Gratitude
Through neuroimaging scans research has shown that when we feel and express sincere gratitude it activates areas in the brain that can synchronize the brain and heart rhythms. The synchrony creates a shift throughout the entire body which produces a scientifically measurable state of mind referred to as coherence. Self-evoked feelings of gratitude flood our system with the feel-good hormone, endorphins. It also increases the production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) which is considered the anti-aging hormone and immunoglobulin A (IgA) our bodies’ first line of defense against pathogens thereby boosting our immune system functioning. Research has also illuminated that the practice of gratitude is one of the single most reliable means of increasing life satisfaction.
Gratitude Research
The 2000s brought more research on the experience and practice of gratitude. These studies revealed that an attitude of gratitude improves sleep quality. Individuals also showed to recover more quickly from trauma and emerge more resilient after having experienced trauma. This decreases the occurrence of PTSD and increases the likelihood of post-traumatic growth following a traumatic experience. Gratitude is also a powerful protector against the negative effects of anger.
The Social and Relational Benefits of Gratitude
Gratitude has been correlated with pro-social behavior and increases altruism. Practicing authentic gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to cultivate compassion and connection in your life. Moving from a private personal gratitude practice to one in which you directly express your gratitude to the person to whom you are grateful has shown to inspire the recipient of one person’s gratitude to pay it forward by expressing gratitude towards another person or persons.
Conclusion: A The Prescription for Gratitude
Whether it is an intentional practice that you choose to document daily in your calendar or journal, or the last thing you do in your head at night before you go to sleep, practicing gratitude is good for your mind, body and spirit. Its mental and physical health benefits are proven and powerful. Gratitude is completely free to practice and is available to everyone, anywhere at any time. There are no negative side effects and the benefits of gratitude affect not only you, but those around you. Start now, what are you grateful for today? (Comment below and spread the word.)
References
Jarrett, C. (2016, January 7). How expressing gratitude might change your brain. NY Mag .
Retrieved from
Shaughnessy, M. & Shepherd, J., Gratitude. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health, 2021. p.3.
What is gratitude? (2016). Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life . Retrieved from http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition
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