The Science Behind Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thanks” we someone holds the door for you. It has some serious power to change how we think, feel, or even operate in the world. It’s not just a feel-good emotion. Gratitude can rewire your brain, improve your physical health, and strengthen you relationships. Let’s get into it and break down how gratitude works and levels your life!

  1. How Gratitude Rewires Your Brain

Gratitude doesn’t just make you happy for a second or a minute. It literally changes your brain chemistry. Your brain releases serotonin and dopamine when you practice gratitude. These feel-good chemicals boost your mood and reinforce your positive thinking. Over time, the more you practice gratitude, the more your brain will be wired for positivity! You are actually training your brain to stay on the positive side of life.

  • Why This Is Important: This isn’t just a one-time hit of a more positive outlook. Practicing gratitude consistently can decrease anxiety, better regulate emotions, and boost overall mental health.
  • What You Can Do: Start with a daily gratitude practice. Get a journal or notebook and write down 3 things you are grateful for today. This may feel a little weird at first, but keep at it. These don’t have to be big things. They can be as simple as being grateful for having a roof over your head or clean clothes on your back.
  • Sales Power Move: Gratitude not only makes you feel good but can make you perform better, too. Practicing gratitude can lower stress and help you focus. Meaning you can be more effective at building relationships and closing the deal. Positive energy is contagious. It can flow to your clients, too.

 

  1. Gratitude Improves Your Physical Health

Gratitude can make you healthier. Kinda crazy, right? Research has shown that grateful people tend to experience fewer physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue, have better heart health, and even lower blood pressure. It turns out that when you’re grateful, your mood is boosted, and your body thrives, too! It’s almost like the mind and body are connected, huh?

  • Why This Is Important: when you are grateful, your stress levels are lower, which means less cortisol (stress hormone) is running through your body. Lower cortisol = less inflammation and better immune function
  • What You Can Do: when you’re next running through the day with your hair on fire, take a second to pause and appreciate something small – great food, a good conversation with a friend, or just the great weather. There’s always something. This small focus can keep your body in balance
  • Sales Power Move: Better health = better sales. I don’t know about you, but when I get super stressed, I tend to get sick all of a sudden. When you feel good physically, you will have more energy to hit targets, stay productive, and be resilient in high-pressure situations. Gratitude keeps your body in top shape and closing deals.

 

  1. Snapping At People Never Helped Anybody!

Grateful people tend to be more emphatic and show less aggression. It helps you take that step back and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Then, respond with kindness instead of snapping at someone, even when things aren’t going your way.

  • Why This Is Important: When you practice gratitude daily, you can reduce feelings of resentment, envy, or frustration. It opens you up to respond with understanding and curiosity instead of anger. Strengthening your relationships in the process.
  • What You Can Do: Next time you feel frustrated with somebody for doing that thing you just hate yet again, pause to think about what you appreciate about them or why their situation might cause them to behave in such a way.
  • Sales Power Move: Empathy is a superpower in sales! When you effectively empathize with your client or prospect, you better understand them and can make recommendations with their best interests at heart. Even if that means telling them, you aren’t the best fit. This all stems from gratitude

 

  1. Who Doesn’t Want To Sleep Better And Stress less???

Gratitude might just be the fix you need if you struggle with sleep. Research has shown that people who practice gratitude regularly sleep better and feel less stressed. This is because gratitude helps calm your mind and body by activating the part that enables you to relax – your parasympathetic nervous system. I know I could use more of that!

  • Why Is This Important: Better sleep = better everything. It’s ridiculous to think that if we rest well, which is a THIRD of our life, the rest of our life can improve too, right? This can cause you to be more focused, energized, and less stressed overall. Gratitude helps you wind down at night and get fired up in the morning.
  • What You Can Do: Jot down a few things you are grateful for before bed. Again, they don’t have to be anything wild. They can be as simple as getting into a fresh set of sheets.
  • Sales Power Move: Sleep is critical in sales. The better rested you are, the sharper your thinking and client interactions, including negotiations and those pesky objections.

Gratitude is a game-changer. Not just to feel better but to rewire your brain, boost health, improve relationships, and thrive in your personal and professional life. Plus, it’s a secret weapon for those of us in sales. So, what are you waiting for?! Start your gratitude practice today and see how your life transforms!