The Science of Gratitude: The “Story Twist” That Can Lift Your Mood & Reframe Your Day #229
Have you ever made a gratitude list—but still felt stressed afterward?
Gratitude is powerful for our emotional wellness—but what if there’s a simple way to experience it more deeply?
In today’s episode of Breathe, Bonnie explores the science of gratitude and a simple “story twist” that can help lift your mood, calm stress, and help you notice God’s goodness in a more personal way. Instead of only naming what you’re grateful for, you’ll learn how vividly remembering the story around your gratitude helps reframes your day and boosts your mood with thanksgiving to God.
Bonnie also shares a personal story from her recent trip to North Carolina, where an unexpected encounter reminded them that gratitude is not just about good things, but the giver God was present in their stories.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why our brains naturally pay more attention to stress and negative experiences—a tendency psychologists call negativity bias
- How gratitude can help redirect our attention toward something good that is also true
- What research on positive autobiographical memories tells us about why vividly remembering a positive experience can lift our mood
- Why savoring the story behind your gratitude may help you experience the positive emotions of that moment again
- How to bring your gratitude story into prayer and notice where God met you personally
- A simple Gratitude Story Twist you can practice when stress starts telling the story of your day
Scripture
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” — Psalm 118:1
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God… overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” — 2 Corinthians 9:11–12
Breath Prayer
Inhale: I give thanks to You, Lord…
Exhale: Your steadfast love endures forever.
Resources & Studies Mentioned
Negativity Bias:
The Negativity Bias, Revisited: Evidence from Neuroscience Measures and an Individual Differences Approach
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31750790/
Gratitude & Emotional Well-Being:
The Effects of Gratitude Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37585888/
Positive Autobiographical Memories & Mood:
Research examining how vividly reliving positive autobiographical memories is associated with improvements in mood.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31348599/
→ Read Whispers of Rest: 40 Days to Revitalize Your Soul with God's Love, by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
→ Join Bonnie on Instagram @thebonniegray
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray
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