The Science Of Gratitude

Did you know there is a cascade of things that are happening when you complain?

There are also several things that are happening within your body when you are grateful!

First off, it is way easier to complain than it is to be grateful. It is easier for us to grumble than to give thanks.

Let's take a look at what happens to you as an Athlete when you engage in such activity:

When You Complain:

Threat response is easily activated - Your ability to perform is directly related to how you perceive threat. When you continually complain, you put your brain in ‘protect mode’ and you play with your “brakes” on.

You begin to negatively rewire your brain - Your brain has high neuroplasticity, meaning that it can and will adapt to how it is trained….you get what you train for.

You show the world how weak you are - “You can tell the size of a man by the size of the thing that makes him mad.”-Adlai E. Stevenson

You become problem-focused instead of solution-focused - Our brains are designed to solve problems, but when we complain, we are giving ourselves an easy way out.

Sounds terrible!

But there is GOOD NEWS. We can choose to be GRATEFUL!!!

When You Are Grateful:

Gratitude Enhances Sleep Quality

Gratitude Improves Physical Health

Gratitude Lowers Stress

Gratitude Improves Self-Regulation

Gratitude Encourages Pro-social behaviors (you begin to think of others)

What goes through your mind when you read these things? Are you a complainer? Do you actively express gratitude? As you can see, science has a lot to say about complaining and gratitude.

God’s Word addresses these topics as well.

Psalm 127: 2…He give His beloved sleep.

Proverbs 17: 22…A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones

2 Corinthians 10:12…For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Philippians 4:11-13…Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

So…What Happens When You Get Upset?

Great question. Getting upset is human. Getting angry is human. It is our habituated responses that are important.

Here are a few words that you should stay away from when you get upset:

CAN’T

NEVER

ALWAYS

When you summarize what you’ve read today, it comes down to this:

BE GRATEFUL and STOP COMPLAINING

The consequences of these to activities are undeniable…both in science and in God’s Word.

Your Friend,

Josiah