If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you,"
that would suffice. ~ eckhart ~
In today's world with the hysteria of swine flu, depression of the economy, terrorist threats and multiple natural disasters, wars and famine our systems have become so heightened with anxiety and fears that its quite simply too hard to "switch off". Worries all around us on top of everyday family and work related stresses are like an onslaught of disaster upon the biochemical makeup of our bodies and minds. We are strangled by fear, hopelessness and worry.
It is well known by scientists and physicians that fear creates an inate "flight or fight" response in the body, increasing levels of Cortisol and Adrenaline, leaving us weakened, exhausted and irritable. The amygdala is the portion of our brains where fear resides and this forms 90% of our response pattern, such that we are often in "hunter" or "survival" mode 24/7. The triggering of the response is automatic and in times of prolonged stress can lead to overload, making the body susceptible to increased risk of physical and mental illnesses. Despite this, our brain can be programmed to overcome this. Allowing space for the mind to unwind and recharge, along with increasing happiness. Also allowing the body to rest in a place where the brain is functioning in a much rarer state, using the neocortex, where we can train it to let go of fear and instead find an inner peace and stability.
According to medical psychologist Dan Baker, Ph. D., author of
What Happy People Know, it is neurologically impossible for the brain to react to fear when one exhibits a state of gratitude and thankfulness. Being grateful for what you
have rather than what you don't have increases your positive feelings about life and reduces anxiety levels. When you practice appreciation, according to Baker, you'll improve your mood, as your brain focuses on the elements that produce Serotonin (the Happy Hormone) rather than Adrenaline (which increases heart rate and prepares the body for a "fight/flight" response). You can simply learn to "channel" your nerve pathways to an alterior route!
The habit of each day writing down or concentrating on five things that you are grateful for, or showing appreciation to others around you is not a quick fix. It has to become a regular habit over months of practice for the brain to adjust its responses and serotonin levels.
Similarly according to research
Professor Robert Emmons, of the University Of California, the quality of "being grateful" boosts the immune system and increases mental health. Grateful people are generally more optimistic, happier , suffer less depression and are more resilient in the face of stress.
Sharing with others and appreciating others around you, seeing good, genuinely valuing their worth and ignoring their faults, gives you a deeper feeling of satisfaction in your life.
To be happy we should "learn" to be grateful for the small blessings we do have, the simple beauties around us and most of all to share.
