Heard of the "Helper's High?" Ever considered what you're truly experiencing on a physiological scale?
Researchers at HeartMath Institute discovered that "gratitude causes a synchronized activation in multiple brain regions and lights up parts of the brain’s reward pathways". This means that gratitude can boost endorphins which produce a natural euphoric rush!
First, oxytocin (the love/ bonding hormone) is boosted throughout the body. It can then ignite the neurotransmitter, serotonin (makes you feel happy and calm), and it then activates the brain stem to produce dopamine (helps you feel pleasure). WOW! Gratitude has also been shown to boost our immune system functioning, as well as lower stress and lower blood pressure. The benefits to be gained from giving gratitude are impactful to our well-being and the well-being to those around us!
To step into gratitude or grow your gratitude practice, considering participating in HeartMath's Care Focus: Heart Warmth and Gratitude. The steps are listed below. Celebrate the holidays by giving yourself and others the gift of heart warmth and gratitude.
Care Focus: Heart Warmth and Gratitude
1.Focus your attention in the area of your heart. Imagine your inhale is entering your heart/chest area and your exhale is flowing out of your heart/chest area.
2.As you inhale, charge the energy of your breath with genuine heartfelt love. You may consider thinking of a person who ignites love inside of you, a pet or a memory.
3.Now, radiate this love out in the form of genuine gratitude.
(Doing this raises the vibration of your spirit and helps to bring heart, mind, emotions and body into calm, coherent alignment and focus.)
4.Begin to radiate gratitude to those in your close circle. You can envision gratitude being extended from you to them. You may even envision others receiving your gratitude and heartfelt compassion.
5.Now, radiate gratitude to acquaintances or those that are not in your close circle. Envision those receiving your gratitude with love.
6.Continue extending gratitude to those around the world you may not know or have not met yet. Imagine them receiving your gratitude with love and acceptance.
7.Lastly, radiate gratitude to your self. Acknowledge you are doing the best you can during this time of hustle and bustle. Send loving compassion and gratitude to you.
Thank you for participating in this Heart Warmth and Gratitude visualization created by HeartMath Institute! Know that even when things look bleak, radiating your individual and collective care and compassion is making a significant difference in your and others' well-being!
Source: HeartMath Institute