Think Of Thankfulness As God's Medicine
Think Of Thankfulness As God's Medicine | November 28th
Numerous neurological studies have shown significant benefits from having a grateful heart. For example, the renowned Mayo Clinic Health System states, "When you practice gratitude, you can become happier and more resilient. Studies show that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood, and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, chronic pain difficulties, and disease risk. Acknowledging gratitude and mindfulness supports a positive shift to improve your mental well-being and health. Your thoughts and behaviors change your biology by releasing oxytocin, which helps you connect with others. Being connected to others is a protective factor that helps increase resiliency."
Research indicates that gratitude positively influences our neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), pleasure-related neurotransmitters (dopamine), as well as the inflammatory and immune systems, stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, and regulates blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Dr. P. Doraiswamy, head of Biologic Psychology at Duke University Medical Center, said, "If thankfulness were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system."
When it comes to giving thanks, our attention is usually on a particular time of the year or just when good things happen. However, gratitude should not be confined to a calendar or favorable circumstances. Think of thankfulness as God's medicine for you. Psalm 92:1 says, "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High."
When the Psalmist wrote this song, he probably wasn't fully aware of the many neurological benefits of thankfulness, but God was and still is. He knows we can significantly benefit from being thankful today and daily. We must trust God at His word in knowing that giving thanks from a medical, emotional, relational, and spiritual standpoint is good. Scripture even challenges us to trust God this way when it says in Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
Thankfulness is your refuge from life's many struggles, such as anxiety, stress, fear, and worry. Knowing this, take time each day to reflect on your blessings and tap into this neurological superpower of thankfulness that God has prescribed for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Research indicates that gratitude positively influences our neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), pleasure-related neurotransmitters (dopamine), as well as the inflammatory and immune systems, stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, and regulates blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Dr. P. Doraiswamy, head of Biologic Psychology at Duke University Medical Center, said, "If thankfulness were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system."
When it comes to giving thanks, our attention is usually on a particular time of the year or just when good things happen. However, gratitude should not be confined to a calendar or favorable circumstances. Think of thankfulness as God's medicine for you. Psalm 92:1 says, "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High."
When the Psalmist wrote this song, he probably wasn't fully aware of the many neurological benefits of thankfulness, but God was and still is. He knows we can significantly benefit from being thankful today and daily. We must trust God at His word in knowing that giving thanks from a medical, emotional, relational, and spiritual standpoint is good. Scripture even challenges us to trust God this way when it says in Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
Thankfulness is your refuge from life's many struggles, such as anxiety, stress, fear, and worry. Knowing this, take time each day to reflect on your blessings and tap into this neurological superpower of thankfulness that God has prescribed for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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