Gratitude

The health benefits of being grateful.

This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation and planning. If you are thinking of harming yourself, please call or text, in English or Spanish, the Suicide & Crisis Lifelineat 988. Help is available. En EspañolDeaf & Hard of hearing

In this episode of the Hear Me Now Podcast, host Seán Collins discusses the health benefits of gratitude with Dr. Robin Henderson, Chief Executive for Behavioral Health for the Oregon Region of Providence.

They begin by listening to the story of JD, who found that practicing gratitude helped him overcome suicidal thoughts and depression. They discuss the science behind gratitude, including its impact on serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.

They also explore practical strategies for incorporating gratitude into daily life, such as journaling, gratitude jars, and sending thank-you cards. They emphasize the importance of gratitude in improving mental health, fostering positive relationships, and creating a more positive and empathetic society. The episode concludes with a discussion on the role of healthcare providers in promoting gratitude as a form of self-care and healing for their patients.

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Robin Henderson, PsyD

Chief Executive for Behavioral Health

Providence

Senior Clinical Officer

Work2BeWell

Portland, Ore.

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The music heard at the end of the episode is "Dreamers of the Shore" by Volcan Peaksfeat. Cody Francis. Used with permission.

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Transcript

FURTHER READING:

Key Lime Pie for Thanksgiving(New York Times)

The Ignatian Examen (The Jesuits)

"The Spiritual Exercises" of Ignatius of Loyola (Ignatian Spirituality) text

"Effects of gratitude meditation on neural network functional connectivity and brain-heart coupling" (Nature)

"The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis" (Einstein)

"Gratitude in Health Care: A Meta-narrative Review" (Psychiatry)

"Gratitude and Well Being: The Benefits of Appreciation" (Psychiatry)

"The impact of gratitude interventions on patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review" (Frontiers in Psychology)

"A systematic review of gratitude interventions: Effects on physical health and health behaviors" (Journal of Psychosomatic Research)

"The Cultivation of Pure Altruism via Gratitude: A Functional MRI Study of Change with Gratitude Practice" (Frontiers in Human Neuroscience)

"The Scientific Effects of Gratitude: A Review" (Journal of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing)

CONTRIBUTORS

• JD (pseudonym)
• Robin Henderson PsyD
• Seán Collins

KEYWORDS

• self-care
• dopamine
• serotonin
• depression
• practice of gratitude
• suicidal ideation
• gratitude