In this episode, I dive into the unexpected power of gratitude—drawing surprising evidence from a U.S. military training programme that reduced PTSD and addiction rates, not with weapons or survival tactics, but with gratitude.
Joined briefly by 'Cynical Steve' (unsurprisingly) we explore how a simple shift in perspective can disrupt our ancient threat-response systems, bring calm to our nervous system, and begin to rewire the brain for optimism and emotional resilience.
I also share a simple, science-backed gratitude practice you can start today—and explain why it's only effective once you've laid the groundwork by protecting your sleep and setting boundaries.
This Week’s Small Mercy: Gratitude – Keep It Real
Write down three things you’re grateful for—simple as that. But for it to work, keep these tips in mind:
Feel it, don’t just list it: Add how each thing made you feel.
Less is more: Focus on depth, not quantity. A few meaningful reflections beat a long list every time.
Once or twice a week is plenty: Too often, and it becomes routine. Keep it genuine, not forced.
Reflect forward: What did it teach you? How might you carry that feeling into tomorrow?
Ditch the clichés: Your brain knows the difference between real and fake.
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Here’s a link to more about Circles of Influence: https://positivepsychology.com/circles-of-influence/