Keep Your MindUP With Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that supports positive mental health and well-being. What’s more, science has shown that these benefits can be fostered through practice! We invite you and the children in your life to join MindUP to learn, practice and experience the amazing benefits of gratitude.

Transcript

Welcome.

Today we're going to get our mind up for gratitude.

I'm sure we all know what gratitude means,

But what's so important is to know its positive effects on our brain.

Expressing gratitude or thankfulness to someone or something is a powerful strategy that can support our overall happiness and well-being.

Research has shown that practicing gratitude can help improve our physical and emotional health,

Enhance social relationships,

And increase our resilience.

It can also reduce stress and toxic emotions.

Grateful people have a greater capacity for joy and positive emotions.

When we practice gratitude,

Our brain floods with oxytocin,

Dopamine,

And serotonin.

These chemicals can help us to feel happier,

Calmer,

More trusting,

And connected to others.

As a teacher,

My students love expressing gratitude together.

We often do it in a circle and will pass a gratitude stone around so each person can have a turn participating if they want to share.

A simple way to start practicing gratitude is by finding three things that we feel grateful for.

This can include one person,

Something in nature,

And one activity you'd like to do.

So I'd like to invite you to participate in this activity right now.

Please start by finding a comfortable position for your body.

You can sit in a chair or lie down somewhere comfortable.

Please take a moment to get settled.

If you like,

You can close your eyes.

Now,

For the next few moments,

Bring your mind to someone you feel grateful for.

It can be a family member,

A friend,

Someone in your community,

Or someone you barely know.

Just take a moment to think of this person that you feel grateful for.

Next,

Take a moment to focus on something in nature you're grateful for.

Now,

Please take a moment to think of one activity that you love to do and that you feel grateful for.

Thank you for participating in this activity.

I'd like to invite you to just take a moment to reflect on how you feel.

Whatever you feel is normal.

Just acknowledge it.

What is being discovered is that the more people practice thinking about or expressing gratitude,

The more those feel-good chemicals are released and that brain neural pathways actually strengthen through this.

Over time,

This can lead to stronger immune systems,

Lower blood pressure,

Greater life satisfaction,

And more joy.

Thanks for listening.

We hope that you have opportunities to get your mind up through expressing gratitude and finding some of the benefits associated with this wonderful practice.

Reviews

Short but very useful and uplifting. Gives three wonderful prompts for gratitude.

Short, sweet, and I feel great!! Thank you for sharing!!

The scientific reminders gets my minds attention. It's not too long either.

Just a good reminder that we can not only be mindful but also can evoke positive emotions on purpose.

Short and sweet!

Oh how U loved this ! Sweet and to the point. Thank you🙏💚💜

Thank you. Gratitude is a powerful force.

Lovely! Thank you

An excellent, useful, meaningful and short practice on gratitude....and how it affects our brain chemistry. 🙏🏽💛☮️💫

Think of a person, something in nature, and an activity for which you’re grateful. I’m grateful for this meditation!

Very grateful to you for your meditations
Blessing with love.

Thank you I hope you have a beautiful day I’m grateful for this meditation Namaste

Thank you! I LOVE gratitude practices! 🙏🏽

It was a good reminder

Love this quick effective practice!! Thank you 🙏 sending gratitude & blessings 🙏🙏

A wonderful explanation and guidance of gratitude. Thank you. I’m energized when reflecting on gratitude!

Love the practice of gratitude. I always say good things come to those that feel good 🙏

Great, an easy straight forward exercise accompanied by a clear explanation!

Loved that- It is so helpful. I liked the music at the beginning and end. It helped to prepare listener to begin and let us know it is over. Good clues for body and brain. I also liked the sound effect pop pop pop. Just made it more fun.

Love the content but rushed. Not quite a meditation, rather, an exercise. But a good one. Thank you.