a plague is marauding in our midst
one that costs the global economy
billions of dollars every year and that
claims its victims from skid row to the
corporate boardroom
this modern epidemic is eroding health
wealth and happiness of young and old in
a manner that is even more prevalent
than most people realize
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when one suffers from depression all
seems hopeless without a way out of the
distress
in this condition it is hard to be
grateful for anything
yet researchers confirm this simple
drug-free intervention has been shown to
be very effective in dealing with both
depression and anxiety
dr christine thorer specializing in
occupational science and therapy states
a new study conducted by deepak chopra
and colleagues
found that gratitude was associated with
numerous benefits including better mood
and sleep and with reduced depression
and stress
so how does one overcome depression with
gratitude
many years ago i spoke with a lady who
had been going through a difficult time
during which she struggled with
depression
at one point she started to feel much
better
and in discussing the matter she related
how she simply decided one day to be
grateful for many little everyday things
such as the blue sky she could see the
taste of an orange or the purring of a
cat
she began to make a habit of being
thankful daily
and gradually the depression lifted
in her mind it seemed that a depressed
mood could not endure the presence of a
thankful one
an article by dr m chowdhry references a
large volume of recent research which
shows that what this lady experienced
was in fact an effect now established in
science
positive psychology and mental health
researchers in the past few decades have
established an overwhelming connection
between gratitude and good health
gratitude is positively correlated to
more vitality energy and enthusiasm to
work harder chaudhry also refers to
neuroscientist dr alex corb's work
confirming that gratitude acts as a
natural antidepressant
actually changing the biochemistry of
the brain for the better
when we give and receive thank you notes
our brain is automatically redirected to
pay attention to what we have
gratitude acts as a catalyst for
neurotransmitters like serotonin
dopamine and neuroepinephrine
the ones that manage our emotions
anxiety and immediate stress responses
gratitude is a socially driven emotion
remembering the kindness of others and
thinking about their needs as well as
noticing the beauty around us
trains our brain to be more positive and
combats depression
the author references research that
shows the effect on the brain from this
way of thinking is long lasting and
cites other research showing the
multiple positive benefits of a grateful
mindset
the mindfulness awareness research
center of ucla stated that gratitude
does change the neural structures in the
brain and makes us feel happier and more
content
grateful people are simply happier
people
being appreciative is a choice we can
all make
interestingly
this advice has been available in print
for millennia
the linking of a generous kind and
thankful way of life to a happier
outlook is an ancient teaching
that is now supported by modern science
the jewish scholar and early christian
minister known as paul
made a statement almost 2 000 years ago
which now reflects the advice of medical
research and how we can overcome
depression
finally brethren
whatever things are true
whatever things are noble whatever
things are just whatever things are pure
whatever things are lovely whatever
things are of good report if there is
any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy
meditate on these things
developing an attitude of gratitude can
defeat depression
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