Many traditions have practiced gratitude for centuries, and researchers are now studying it. A UCLA news story describing the work of UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center says that making a habit of expressing gratitude may affect the brain’s structure and support gray matter functioning. Another study found that gratitude meditation changed resting-state brain connectivity in regions linked to emotion and motivation, and its authors suggest it may be a way to improve emotional regulation and self-motivation.
13 Most Popular Gratitude Exercises and Activities
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Sean FargoPublished January 30, 2015 · Updated October 21, 2026 · 1 min read
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