Have you ever received something amazing that you didn’t expect or deserve, such as a birthday gift, a Christmas present, or a promotion? How did you feel – happy, humbled, grateful? I felt that when my wife agreed to marry me, and ever since that day, I have remained grateful for her being in my life.
Gratitude is a powerful human emotion, and the word comes from the Latin word ‘gratia’, which means gratefulness or thankfulness. God tells us to:
"come into his presence with THANKSGIVING; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" (Psalm 95:2 ESV – emphasis mine)
The Hebrew word translated as "thanksgiving" is 'todah' and refers to raising hands in adoration to God during worship songs, who wants us to thank Him in worship and praise continually.
"...And be THANKFUL. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:14b-17 ESV – emphasis mine)
The Greek word for "thanksgiving" is 'eucharistia,' and means to be actively gracious and grateful as an act of worship to God. God implores us constantly to be thankful. It is clearly pleasing to Him when we are thankful and show it through worship and praise, not just through song, but in everything we do. Some have defined praise as thanking God for what He has DONE and worship as thanking Him for WHO He is.
There is a more profound element to thankfulness that will positively affect us and those around us, as it permeates everything we think, do, and say, and that is the attitude of gratitude.
"Therefore let us be GRATEFUL for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV – emphasis mine)
The Greek word translated as "grateful" is 'charis' and means the act of giving thanks to God with deep gratitude. It comes from the Greek word 'chairo,' which means "to joy, rejoice, be glad." God wants us to be grateful as a way of life.
In the New Testament, thanksgiving is a motive for living a life of holiness before God, and the underlying attitude towards both blessings and the trials of life, and the central element of all prayer (Matthew 11:25;15:36; 26:27; Mark 8:6; 14:23; Luke 10:21; 22:17,19; John 6:11,23; 11:41; Acts 27:35).
In the book of Revelation, the four living creatures "give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne" (Revelation 4:9); “twenty-four elders worship him for he has taken his great power and begun to reign” (Revelation 11:17). All the heavenly hosts give thanks to God for His redeeming blood used to purchase those who received Jesus as Lord and Savior (Revelation 5:9-14).
We are admonished "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present their requests to God" (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV). We should be thankful for all things and live daily with gratitude in all circumstances, including suffering, for His saving grace that permeates every element of our life and to offer our bodies to Him as instruments of righteousness (Romans 5:3-5, 6:13, 12:1; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Hebrews 12:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 1:1-4; Colossians 1:12, 3:17). It is thanklessness and ingratitude that distinguishes the godless and wicked people who suppress the truth about God's goodness (Romans 1:18-21; 2 Timothy 3:2)
Gratitude and thankfulness are synonymous with faith and love. They are the natural response to God's merciful goodness and gifts of grace. God is glorified through the thanksgiving of His people. When we infuse everything we do with gratitude and thanksgiving, it becomes an act of worship (Colossians 3:17).
The Bible reveals that the goal of evangelism is to invite all people to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior so that prayers of thanksgiving bringing glory to God will increase (Romans 1:21; 2 Corinthians 4:15).
Gratitude Vs Thankfulness
There are some key differences between gratitude and thankfulness. Being thankful is of utmost importance in the life of the Born-Again Christian. Thankfulness is processed on an intellectual level and is a thought or feeling of being happy in a passing moment for something received or experienced.
Being thankful is the foundation to build gratitude, which is more than just the feeling of thankfulness. You need to cultivate the feeling of being thankful and integrate gratefulness into your life. Gratitude is finding happiness without needing to receive something or experience a change that makes you happy.
Gratitude is both an action and a constant state of being. Gratefulness is the state of knowing that what you already have is enough and you need nothing more. Each time you are grateful, you will find more reasons to feel thankful.
You can express thankfulness through words or actions, but gratitude is more passive and is felt on the spirit/soul level. You can be thankful without being grateful, but you cannot be grateful without being thankful. Gratefulness is where you feel a sense of appreciation from deep within and recognize that the goodness in your life comes from God because He is good all the time!
Being grateful is a deliberate practice that comes from walking in humility before others and realizing that no one is entitled to anything. Everything you receive in life is a blessing. It is about living it out through the simple things done every day. Gratitude is the manifestation of love, devotion, and commitment towards those who mean the most to you. The key is keeping gratitude at the forefront of your life and making it your way of life. The more you integrate gratitude into your life, the more comfortable it will become, and you will grow in kindness towards others.
The Science of Gratitude
The human brain has the ability to reorganize itself based on repeated thoughts and behaviors, which is called neuroplasticity. When people intentionally focus on gratefulness, neural pathways involved in emotional control and coping become stronger.
Psychology defines gratitude as a positive emotional response that we perceive while giving or receiving a benefit from someone (Emmons & McCullough, 2004). It is a complex cognitive and emotional phenomenon that is more than just a positive feeling. Gratitude involves recognizing how others contribute to our well-being and enhances our appreciation of positive outcomes in life.
From a neuroscientific perspective, gratitude activates key regions of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, the ventral striatum (a key brain region involved in processing rewards), and the insula (a region of the brain involved in emotional awareness (Fox et al., 2015).
The anterior cingulate cortex of the brain is involved in functions like attention, decision-making, and emotion regulation. It plays a role in processing social information and is linked to various mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. which are linked to empathy, decision-making, and prosocial behaviors.
Understanding the neuroscience of gratitude and how these areas of the brain regulate emotion, decision-making, and reward processing is an ongoing process. Practicing gratitude can impact relationships, resilience, and mental and physical health (Fox et al., 2015).
Expressing gratitude changes physiological aspects of the brain that reside at the neurotransmitter level. These changes create feelings of happiness and contentment. Researchers also hypothesize that gratitude is correlated with brain activity associated with moral cognition. When people are grateful, it activates reward circuits associated with social interaction and social cognitive processes. Changes in the posteromedial and insular cortices, medial prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens (a brain region central to the reward system) occur with these moral and social aspects of gratitude (Fox et al., 2015).
Science has shown that aspects of gratitude have additional specific effects on the brain. One study found that making moral decisions about gratitude activated the right anterior superior temporal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for emotion, autonomic function, memory, and reward-related functions (Zahn et al., 2008).
Gratitude also regulates the sympathetic nervous system that activates our anxiety responses, and at the psychological level, it conditions the brain to filter the negative ruminations and focus on positive thoughts (Wong et al., 2018).
The Limbic system is the part of the brain that is responsible for all emotional experiences. It consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate gyrus. Studies have shown that the hippocampus and amygdala, the two main sites regulating emotions, memory, and bodily functioning, get activated with feelings of gratitude (Wong et al., 2018). The Limbic system includes reward pathways, which can boost serotonin and activate the brain stem to produce dopamine, improving mood and making us feel good (Zahn et al., 2008).
Scientific research has found that people who experience higher levels of gratitude have increased gray matter volume, which is where the brain processes sensation, voluntary movement, perception, speech, learning, and cognitive tasks (Zahn et al., 2014).
Gratitude can change neural structures in the brain, making individuals feel happier and more content. Feeling grateful and appreciative triggers the “good” hormones and regulates effective functioning of the immune system (Zahn et al., 2008).
Research suggests that gratitude is a neurobiologically advantageous practice, fostering personal growth and resilience, while making people more attuned to positive experiences. Gratitude activates the medial prefrontal cortex, which is the front part of the Brain, and is responsible for higher-order cognitive functions such as decision-making, emotional regulation, and social behavior. It plays a crucial role in managing thoughts and actions to achieve goals in various situations.
Practicing gratitude can lead to sustained activation of these areas, indicating lasting changes in brain function. Research has discovered that it increases gray matter volume in critical areas of the brain responsible for processing emotions and social interactions and enhances the ability to recognize and express gratitude, which can lead to stronger interpersonal relationships.
It is clearly pleasing to God when we are thankful and show it through worship and praise, not just through song, but in everything we do. However, there is a more profound element to thankfulness that will positively affect us and those around us, as it permeates everything we think, do, and speak.
The Benefits of Gratitude
Gratitude is a natural antidepressant. When you express gratitude, the brain releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, the crucial neurotransmitters responsible for emotions. Neurotransmitters are the body’s chemical messengers from one nerve cell to the next nerve, muscle, or gland cell. They help you move your limbs, feel sensations, keep your heart beating, and take in and respond to all information your body receives from other internal parts of your body and your environment.
The primary neurotransmitter involved in the gratitude response is serotonin, which plays a key role in mood regulation. Studies suggest that activities fostering gratitude increase serotonin levels, contributing to improved mental health.
When these chemicals are released in the brain, negative emotions are kicked to the curb. They immediately make a person feel happy from the inside. When you consciously express gratitude every day, it can train your brain to choose positive emotions and thoughts, reducing anxiety and feelings of apprehension. When you maintain the attitude of gratitude and express it outwardly, you gain the power to combat and cope with daily stress, and your neural pathways strengthen themselves and create a permanent, grateful, and positive attitude within.
Studies have shown that receiving and displaying gratitude activates the hypothalamus, which is the part of your brain responsible for regulating bodily functions such as sleep, metabolism, and hunger. A brain filled with gratitude and kindness is more likely to sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed and energetic every morning (Zahn et al., 2009).
Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Gratitude
Gratitude research has demonstrated that individuals who have higher levels of gratitude have fewer common health complaints such as headaches, digestive problems, infections, dizziness, congestion, and sleep problems (Hazlett et al., 2021).
Practicing gratitude can improve physical health, balance your emotions, improve your relationships, and help you grow in greater trust and intimacy with God. The attitude of gratitude reduces cardiac disease, inflammation, and neurodegeneration significantly because it helps in regulating metabolic functioning and the control of hormonal imbalances that help in maintaining good health. Gratitude reduces the level of stress hormones by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
Gratitude in all forms is associated with happiness. Whether we say 'thank you' to someone or receive the same from others, the feeling it brings is that of pure satisfaction and encouragement. Expressions of gratitude help in building and sustaining long-term relationships, dealing with adversities, and bouncing back from them with strength and motivation.
Resilience
Gratitude has been correlated with resilience and feelings of happiness. One study indicated that participants who felt more grateful and practiced gratitude journaling were also happier and emotionally stronger (McCanlies et al., 2018).
Gratitude can boost emotional resilience by focusing on positive things in life instead of toxic emotions like envy, jealousy, resentment, and anxiety.
Studies on gratitude and appreciation found that participants experienced a reduction in cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and had better cardiac function (McCraty & Childre, 2004).
Participants who practiced gratitude were also more resilient to emotional setbacks and negative experiences (McCraty & Childre, 2004).
Practicing gratitude can help individuals handle stress better and rewire the brain to cope with difficult circumstances with more awareness and broader perception (McCraty & Childre, 2004).
Studies indicate that people who are grateful to God are healthier and have higher levels of stress resilience. An experiment conducted on three groups of individuals, each team representing a particular age group, revealed that older adults who felt more grateful to God for their lives scored higher on a stress-tolerance index than others (Krause, 2006).
Anxiety
There is evidence supporting a relationship between gratitude and anxiety. A grateful attitude can help individuals attain acceptance and become less fearful of the future (Lau & Cheng, 2011). 2011). This data implies that gratitude and gratitude journaling can reduce anxiety. Gratitude practices like journaling and group discussions are important parts of mental health interventions and life coaching regimes.
Pain Reduction
Gratitude may reduce feelings of pain by regulating dopamine levels. In a study known as “Counting Blessings Versus Burdens,” researchers found a positive effect on physical well-being among participants with neuromuscular diseases. Gratitude has the ability to improve affect in the present and also increases the likelihood that people will function optimally and feel good in the future (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
Gratitude research has demonstrated that individuals who have higher levels of trait gratitude have fewer common health complaints, such as headaches, digestive problems, infections, dizziness, congestion, and sleep problems (Hazlett et al., 2021).
Practicing gratitude has also been shown to decrease physical symptoms such as headache, sore muscles, and nausea. The authors believe that gratitude can downregulate threat responses from the amygdala, decreasing cellular inflammatory responses linked to health (Hazlett et al., 2021).
Studies have shown that receiving and displaying simple acts of kindness and expressing gratitude activate the hypothalamus (Zahn et al., 2009). The hypothalamus regulates bodily mechanisms that control sleep.
Hypothalamic regulation triggered by gratitude helps us get deeper and healthier sleep naturally every day. Gratitude and kindness help promote better sleep and energetic mornings (Zahn et al., 2009).
Gratitude significantly reduces symptoms of depression because it reduces stress hormones and manages the autonomic nervous system functions (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
At the neurochemical level, feelings of gratitude are associated with an increase in the neural modulation of the prefrontal cortex, the brain site responsible for managing negative emotions like guilt, shame, and violence (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
People who practice gratitude tend to be more empathetic and positive-minded. The science of Gratitude is a simple and powerful emotion that has the capacity to change our minds, relationships, and general wellbeing, which can provide renewed insight and hope for every day. Scientific research in the neuroscience of gratitude continues to evolve and has made it evident that the emotion of gratitude has a direct relationship with the body and brain (Hazlett et al., 2021).
Gratitude fosters adaptive coping mechanisms. By managing positive emotions like satisfaction, happiness, and pleasure, gratitude enhances our emotional resilience and builds our inner strength to combat stress [Gloria & Steinhardt, 2016].
Resilience
A cross-sectional study published in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry found a strong positive correlation between gratitude, resilience, and feelings of happiness. The study was conducted on a large adult population sample, and statistical treatment showed that participants who felt more grateful and practiced gratitude journaling were found to be happier and emotionally stronger than others (McCanlies, Gu, Andrew, & Violanti, 2018).
Social Benefits
Gratitude helps to sustain relationships and appreciate people who are there for you. As a result, you will feel more loved, cared for, and hopeful. The correlation between oxytocin function and expressions of gratitude demonstrates the importance of gratitude in social bonding (Algoe & Way, 2014).
Long-Term Benefits
The attitude of gratitude shows it activates brain regions associated with reward, enhancing feelings of contentment & emotional well-being. Regular practice of gratitude can lead to long-term positive changes in the brain, supporting mental health and resilience. Research has discovered that when a person practices gratitude, such as writing letters of thanks or maintaining a gratitude journal, it can enhance brain activity in regions associated with emotional processing.
Studies have shown that those who practice gratitude regularly report higher levels of happiness and lower levels of depression and profound positive changes in mood, resilience, and overall well-being. It has a healing effect (Russell & Fosha).
Spiritual Benefits
Gratitude helps you to see the positive things in life and replaces pessimistic thoughts with optimistic ones so that you stay grounded in Jesus and accept your present situation, even if it is a harsh reality.
In one study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, researchers found that people who had consciously counted their blessings for just a week were more likely to trust others.
Throughout the day, express thanks to God and those around you because it strengthens social bonds and fuses positive experiences with emotional responses in the brain. When you focus on gratitude, it will help reduce stress and anxiety, leading to better mental health outcomes.
"Therefore let us be GRATEFUL for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV – emphasis mine)
Throughout the book of Psalms, the people were invited to sing songs of thanksgiving as acts of love and worship to glorify God. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good" is a common exhortation (Psalm 69:30; 95:2; 100:4; 106:1; 118:1; 136:1; 147:7).
In the New Testament, thanksgiving is a motive for living a life of holiness before God, and the underlying attitude towards both blessings and the trials of life, and the central element of all prayer (Matthew 11:25;15:36; 26:27; Mark 8:6; 14:23; Luke 10:21; 22:17,19; John 6:11,23; 11:41; Acts 27:35).
In the book of Revelation, the four living creatures "give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne" (V4:9); twenty-four elders worship him for he has taken his great power and begun to reign (V11:17). All the heavenly hosts give thanks to God for His redeeming blood used to purchase those who received Jesus as Lord and Savior (V5:9-14).
Gratefulness Vs Thankfulness
Gratefulness and thankfulness are synonymous with faith and love. They are the natural response to God's goodness and gifts of grace. God is glorified through the thanksgiving of His people. When we infuse everything we do with gratitude and thanksgiving, it becomes an act of worship (Colossians 3:17).
There are some key differences between thankfulness and gratitude. Being thankful is of utmost importance in the life of the Born-Again Christian. Thankfulness is processed on an intellectual level and is a thought or feeling of being happy in a passing moment for something received or experienced.
Being thankful is the foundation to build gratitude, which is more than just the feeling of thankfulness. You need to cultivate a feeling of thankfulness and integrate gratefulness into your life. Gratitude is finding happiness without needing to receive something or experience a change that makes you happy.
Gratitude is both an action and a constant state of being. Gratefulness is the state of knowing that what you already have is enough and you need nothing more. Each time you are grateful, you will find more reasons to feel thankful.
Gratitude is the Attitude for Prayer
Too often when we pray, we ask for things for others and ourselves, such as health, healing, well-being, guidance, and protection. That seems correct and good to do. However, doesn’t God promise to never leave or forsake us, and He only wants the best for our loved ones and us? He forgave ALL our sins, past, present, and future, on the Cross, so why do we continuously ask for forgiveness He has already given? We just have to repent to appropriate it.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)
God never changes. He wants us to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). He also wants everyone to come to know Jesus and spend eternity with Him in Heaven (1 Timothy 2:3-4). He is not “slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Isn’t He at work in all things to produce good? Hasn’t He already promised to meet all our “needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19)?
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:3)
In view of this study, let's try something different in our prayer life - change our motives and, instead of always asking for things – good health and healing, finances, safety, etc., why don’t we take the time to simply thank Him for who He is and what He has promised, already done, is doing, and will do for us and our loved ones – because He is a good and merciful God and only wants the best for those who call Him Lord.
CONCLUSION
FACT: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL DEPRESSED AND GRATEFUL AT THE SAME TIME!
God’s promises are clearly spelled out in His Word, the Bible. We must learn to continuously reflect on His merciful goodness. When we do not, not only will our relationship with Him improve, but we will also improve our relationship with others and experience powerful benefits for our mind and body.
Practicing gratitude is synonymous with expressing our feelings for others and ourselves. By using simple words of love and praise, we make others feel good, and we will also feel a lot better about ourselves and our lives.
Gratitude is the foundation for building and growing trust in God. Trusting-Faith is the source of nourishment for living in health. It requires that a person "lean not on your own understanding." The word "lean" comes from a Hebrew word that is defined as to support oneself, as though one were leaning on something for assistance. The same word is used when Samson leaned on the giant pillars supporting the Philistine temple. It is the idea of putting one's weight on a crutch (See Judges 16:29).
God wants us to lean upon Him and not upon ourselves. We can't do it unless we are right next to Him. Leaning is a progressive state of mind. A person has to recommit their ways to Him continually. It must become the pattern of our lives.
The word "understanding" refers to human understanding, intellect, knowledge, talents, logic, experience, reasoning, or perspective. We are commanded to STOP leaning on our "own understanding" because it is the opposite of trust. We can't "trust in the Lord" if we are leaning on our "own understanding." It is impossible!
The way to grow in Trusting-Faith is to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." The root idea behind the Hebrew word for "trust" is to take refuge or have confidence. This word carries the idea of throwing oneself down, lying on the ground before another, casting all hopes for the present and the future to someone else, and finding shelter and security.
We must learn to practice continually laying down at the feet of Jesus and casting "all" our "cares upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). We must give Him all the concerns and cares of our heart (the inner self - the emotions and intellect) that frustrate us. This is not just saying we "trust in the Lord" or acting as though we do; instead, we are to be genuine in that "trust." We must do it with "ALL" our heart.
When a person trusts the Lord with all their heart, they relinquish ownership of those problems. They must still deal with them, but they won't be worried, stressed, or anxious over them because they now belong to Jesus. We must give them to Him because they are actually His problems now!
We must "not be wise" in our "own eyes." Moving in Trusting-Faith means that we must stop trusting in our own reasoning, intellect, education, abilities, talents, experience, etc., and "acknowledge him" in everything we do. The word "acknowledge" is the Hebrew word "yada," which means to know very intimately, just as "Adam knew Eve, his wife, and she conceived" (Genesis 4:1 NIV).
The only viable choice we have to live and prosper in health is to turn away from self and turn to Jesus, remembering that He is ever-present, continually loving, caring, and providing all that is needed. When we entirely rely on the Lord to handle any situation, He will make our crooked "paths" straight and remove any obstacles as we journey through life. He doesn't promise that life will be easy and without problems. When we learn to trust Him completely:
"This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." (Proverbs 3:8 NIV)
Gratitude to God does not happen overnight. It takes a lifetime of daily practice to master it. Every relevant study shows that change occurs slowly. However, it can take just a few months of continuous practice for the most significant benefits of gratitude to appear. Cultivating gratitude is a skill. God gives us 86,400 seconds each day to practice gratitude! Now is the time to begin! Let us give Him thanks with a grateful heart!
Gratitude to God does not happen overnight. It takes a lifetime of daily practice to master it. Every relevant study shows that change occurs slowly. However, it can take just a few months of continuous practice for the most significant benefits of gratitude to appear. Cultivating gratitude is a skill. God gives us 86,400 seconds each day to practice gratitude! Now is the time to begin! Let us give Him thanks with a grateful heart!
Additional References
Algoe, S. & Way, B. (2014). Evidence for a role of the oxytocin system, indexed by genetic variation in the social bonding effects of expressed gratitude. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 9(12), 1855–1861. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nst182
Emmons, R. A. & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.
Emmons, R. & McCullough, M. (2004). The psychology of gratitude (series in affective science). Oxford University Press.
Fox, G., Kaplan, J., Damasio, H. & Damasio, A. (2015). Neural correlates of gratitude. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 149–154.
Hazlett, L., Moieni, M., Irwin, M., Haltom, K., Jevtic, I., Meyer, M., Breen, E., Cole, S. & Eisenberger, N. (2021). Exploring neural mechanisms of the health benefits of gratitude in women: A randomized controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 95, 444–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.04.019
Krause, N. (2006). Gratitude toward God, stress and health in late life. Research on Aging, 28(2), 163–183. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027505284048
Lau, R. W. & Cheng, S. T. (2011). Gratitude lessens death anxiety. European Journal of Aging, 8(3), 169–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-011-0195-3
McCanlies, C., Gu, K., Andrew, E. & Violanti, M. (2018). The effect of social support, gratitude, resilience and satisfaction with life on depressive symptoms among police officers following Hurricane Katrina. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 64(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764017746197
McCraty, R. & Childre, D. (2004). The grateful heart: The psychophysiology of appreciation. In R. Emmons & E. McCullough (Eds.), The psychology of gratitude (pp. 230–255). Oxford University Press.
Russell, E. & Fosha, D. (2008). Transformational affects and core state in AEDP: The emergence and consolidation of joy, hope, gratitude and confidence in (the solid goodness of) the self. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 18(2), 167–190. https://doi.org/10.1037/1053-0479.18.2.167
Stefan, D., Lefdahl, E., Alayan, A., Decker, M., Kulwicki, T., Parallel, J. & Wittwer, J. (2021). The impact of gratitude letters and visits on relationships, happiness, wellbeing and meaning in graduate students. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 5(2), 110–126.
Wong, Y., Owen, J., Gabana, N., Brown, J., McInnis, S., Toth, P. & Gilman, L. (2018). Does gratitude writing improve the mental health of psychotherapy clients? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Psychotherapy Research, 28(2), 192–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2016.1169332
Zahn, R., Garrido, G., Moll, J. & Grafman, J. (2014). Individual differences in posterior cortical volume correlate with proneness to pride and gratitude. Social Cognition and Affective Neuroscience, 9(11), 1676–1683. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nst158
Zahn, R., Moll, J., Iyengar, V., Huey, E., Tierney, M., Krueger, F. & Grafman, J. (2009). Social conceptual impairments in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with right anterior temporal hypometabolism. Brain, 132(3), 604–616. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awn343
Zahn, R., Moll, J., Paiva, M., Garrido, G., Krueger, F. & Huey, E. (2008). The neural basis of human social values: Evidence from functional MRI. Cerebral Cortex, 19(2), 276–283. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhn080
