Can Gratitude Change Your Genes?
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
gratitude, oxytocin, grateful, happiness, express, thankful, hormone, social, thanksgiving holiday, expressed gratitude, journal, genetic, bonding hormone
Dr Brian G Brown 00:01
Good day, and welcome to the Genesis zone show. This is Dr. Brian Brown. Thank you for taking time out of this particular busy day because it's a holiday, it's Thanksgiving. Today's episode is going to be super short, super sweet. I know we have an international listening audience. But here in the United States, it's Thanksgiving today, and I'm spending time with my family. That's why this show is prerecorded. So, thank you for your patience.
So, I thought it would be appropriate to share some quick thoughts about gratitude on this day. After all, that's what giving thanks is all about right? I want to start this Thanksgiving message with a quote from Albert Einstein. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle”.
A study in 2008, looking at 35 prospective, long-term studies found that the happier person is, the longer they live. A later study in 2018 showed that gratitude predicted hope, and happiness.
Now this very brief intro brings us to today's topic of the epigenetic impact of gratitude. You see, in 2014, researchers published their findings in the journal Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. The title of this study was a bit lengthy, but I'll go ahead and read it to you, “Evidence For a Role of the Oxytocin System Indexed by Genetic Variation in CD 38 in the Social Bonding Effects of Expressed Gratitude.”
Now, I know you just heard the record scratching your brain because you're going oh my gosh, those are way too many words. And it's way too complicated. Let me break it down for you. Researchers found that when a person expresses gratitude, it activates the genetic pathway that causes oxytocin to release.
Just in case you're not familiar with the powerful neuro her hormone, oxytocin, it's the bonding hormone. This is the hormone that makes couples feel close. It's the hormone that helps mothers’ bond to their children, not just at birth, but all throughout their children's lives. And in many cases, it makes us more social, calmer, and more relaxed.
So, let's recap.
- The research shows that happier people live longer.
- Those who expressed gratitude, experience more hope, and happiness.
- And those who express gratitude feel closer and more connected to those around them.
Kind of sounds like a recipe for happiness, don't you think? What are you thankful for today?
I want you to take about 30-seconds. Right now, close your eyes. Take a deep breath in for a count of four. And then let it out for another count of four. And repeat this about three times or if it's been a really stressful day. You can repeat it as many times as you want to. But as you inhale, I want you to think about the people and things you're thankful for. Then as you exhale, I want you to picture in your mind's eye, exhaling gratitude on these people and things.
I know it sounds a little bit hokey, a little woo-woo. But this will radically change your genetics and could add time to your life. Once you're done with this exercise, I want you to tell one person that you love how grateful you are for them and give them a big hug.
Okay, I know all of my introverts in the listening audience are silently screaming in their closets right now. I may have pushed it a little too far for them. If that's not doable for you add a personal journal entry into your journal later on today. Or right now if you want to about that person that you're grateful for and while you're grateful for them.
Dr Brian G Brown 05:01
If you found this post to be helpful in any way, on this wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, please share it with another person.
And I'll leave you with this final thought from the great Zig Ziglar.
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”
I hope you have a most amazing, gratitude filled day, wherever you are in the world, most informed, most trusted and as always most grateful that you spent this time with us and most grateful that You have been listening this entire year. We just passed our one-year anniversary. I'm super excited about that that would not have been possible had it not been for you.
Thank you so much. Until next time, stay in the zone. I'm Dr. Brian Brown, Happy Thanksgiving.