Gratitude - receive it mindfully.
Gratitude benefits summary
Gratitude - giving gratitude is a deep practice that is very beneficial. But did you know there's a much more powerful one for our nervous systems? Think of it as an embodied mindfulness practice.
The most powerful gratitude practices involve experiencing receiving genuine gratitude—or witnessing someone else receive it. Andrew Huberman's research on this is astounding.
How many times have I dismissed or diminished an expression of gratitude with (well-meant but ...) deflection? Too many - and not only was I harming myself by diminishing the gratitude, I was harming the person trying to show appreciation. How about you? Can we change?
In fact, after a conference workshop at ICF New England in June, where we got in pairs and practiced just receiving a compliment with "thank you - I appreciate this" I've been trying to be better about receiving gratitude or a compliment.
It's hard. It's uncomfortable. It goes against 50+ years of socialization against receiving a compliment. It's not WASP-ish. BUT....
👉 Witnessing or receiving gratitude activates key regions in the brain (such as the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex) linked to empathy, social bonding, and well-being.
👉 What's especially compelling is how quickly and powerfully these practices affect us. Just 60 to 120 seconds, done three times a week, can reduce anxiety, inflammation (via reduced TNF-alpha and IL-6), and even amygdala activity—while boosting motivation, empathy, and emotional regulation.
🫶 Best yet, telling the story of gratitude or reliving it through a narrative does the same thing.
For leaders, educators, and personal growth practitioners, this research is groundbreaking: gratitude isn’t just a feel-good virtue—it’s a precise, trainable tool for rewiring the nervous system and improving health and performance.
Think back to a powerful moment when you witnessed people honoring someone with their gratitude. And if you can't remember a moment like that, watch this one!
