PPRC Notes

Kiss your brain Science of Gratitude Video

4 min read

SUMMARY

A former middle school science teacher and current psychology PhD student shares her journey with a brain tumor, emphasizing gratitude over the fight narrative.

IDEAS

  • “Kiss your brain” ritual promotes gratitude and self-appreciation among students.
  • Positive psychology investigates strengths and factors for individual and community thriving.
  • Brain imaging excitement turned to fear upon discovering a large mass in the brain.
  • Embracing gratitude over the fight narrative can reshape one’s experience with illness.
  • Gratitude practices can lead to increased happiness and decreased depression.
  • Gratitude has physical benefits like a stronger immune system and less pain.
  • Expressing gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin, improving mood.
  • Gratitude helps regulate stress hormones and manage negative emotions.
  • Neuroplasticity allows the brain to form new neural connections throughout life.
  • Practicing gratitude can strengthen neural pathways, making it easier over time.
  • Writing thank-you notes to healthcare heroes fosters a sense of appreciation.
  • The fight narrative can be empowering but may not suit everyone.
  • Loving your body unconditionally can build resilience.
  • Gratitude can help cognitively restructure harmful thoughts.
  • The speaker’s journey highlights the importance of gratitude in adversity.
  • Awareness and research on brain tumors and cancer are crucial.
  • Practicing gratitude daily can bring peace and positivity.
  • The speaker’s experience underscores the irony of studying well-being while facing illness.
  • Gratitude can transform one’s vision of illness and disability.
  • The speaker’s story encourages others to find their own way through challenges.

INSIGHTS

  • Gratitude practices can rewire the brain for resilience and positive emotions.
  • Embracing gratitude over fighting can reshape one’s experience with illness.
  • Neuroplasticity allows intentional practice to strengthen gratitude pathways in the brain.
  • Writing thank-you notes fosters appreciation and strengthens relationships.
  • Gratitude helps manage stress hormones and negative emotions effectively.
  • Practicing gratitude daily can bring peace and positivity even in adversity.
  • Loving your body unconditionally builds resilience against challenges.
  • Awareness and research on brain tumors are crucial for better understanding and treatment.
  • The fight narrative may not suit everyone; alternative approaches like gratitude exist.
  • Gratitude can transform one’s vision of illness, focusing on positive aspects.

QUOTES

  • “Kiss your brain for all the work they did in class as a practice of gratitude.”
  • “Positive psychology investigates the strengths and factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive.”
  • “I have never been more scared in my life than I was that night.”
  • “I kissed my brain every single day leading up to and after surgery.”
  • “I hated the idea that I was going to be at war with my brain.”
  • “Gratitude became the tool that helped me restructure my vision of illness and disability.”
  • “The more I practice gratitude, the more peace I felt my situation.”
  • “Expressing gratitude helps us regulate stress hormones.”
  • “Neuroplasticity refers to our brain’s ability to form new neural connections throughout life.”
  • “Practicing gratitude can actually wire our brains to help us build resilience.”
  • “I write down three things I’m grateful for and why I’m grateful for them every morning.”
  • “I write thank you notes to my heroes in health care.”
  • “Loving your body doesn’t have to be conditional.”
  • “We need more awareness and more research regarding brain tumors and brain cancer.”
  • “By practicing gratitude, we can actually wire our brains to help us build resilience.”

HABITS

  • Kiss your brain daily as a practice of gratitude and self-appreciation.
  • Write down three things you’re grateful for every morning, including why you’re grateful for them.
  • Write thank-you notes to healthcare heroes or those who support you regularly.
  • Focus on what your body does right instead of what it does wrong.
  • Practice gratitude even when it seems impossible or challenging.

FACTS

  • Positive psychology investigates strengths and factors for individual and community thriving.
  • Gratitude practices can lead to increased happiness and decreased depression.
  • Expressing gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin, improving mood.
  • Gratitude helps regulate stress hormones and manage negative emotions.
  • Neuroplasticity allows the brain to form new neural connections throughout life.

REFERENCES

  • Positive psychology
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Medial prefrontal cortex
  • Dopamine
  • Serotonin

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Embracing gratitude over fighting can rewire the brain for resilience, transforming one’s experience with illness.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Kiss your brain daily as a practice of gratitude and self-appreciation.
  • Write down three things you’re grateful for every morning, including why you’re grateful for them.
  • Write thank-you notes to healthcare heroes or those who support you regularly.
  • Focus on what your body does right instead of what it does wrong.
  • Practice gratitude even when it seems impossible or challenging.

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