Healing with Heart, The Science of Gratitude

Gratitude has a magical way of making us feel better.

That warm fuzzy feeling we get when we are truly grateful. When the body is wrapped in a loving glow it dictates the feel good hormones released, (think dopamine and serotonin) and guides the nervous system to our rest, digest and repair state.

It sounds so simple, but a gratitude practice can have a profound effect on how the body heals and repairs. To heal injuries, pain and inflammation, the more time we spend in our parasympathetic nervous system, the more efficient our healing system becomes. You will not only feel better emotionally, but physically as well.

So give yourself the greatest gift you can these holidays. Intense gratitude.

I remember years ago a friend recommended I adopt a gratitude practice. At that point I was going through a particularly tough time and found it hard to count my blessings.

It is only much later however that I received the tools and know how to action the beautiful practice of gratitude.

Since I have had the tools to do this I have not skipped an evening. It has profoundly changed the way I experience my day. This is thanks to a small paragraph out of a Bob Proctor Book (Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life.

Before bed at night make a list of these things:

Write down 10 things you are grateful for

You need to feel the gratitude intensely – these do not need to be big things – after a period of illness I remember being grateful for the ability to get out of bed. The ability to spend time with family and friends. Sometimes I have intense gratitude for being able to write, a pen and paper. Really all the little things that are so easy to take for granted.

Once you are in the vibration of gratitude send 3 people love.

That is 3 people you don’t like – or had an argument with that day – or maybe had angry thoughts about. That person that cut you off in traffic, or someone that said something you found hurtful. That little kid in 3rd grade that pulled your hair that you never forgot about. This always makes me chuckle. My husband often makes it to my list 😂 The key is to infuse that good feeling of gratitude into the love that you send them. So unconditional love – free of any judgement or past events.

Ask one question.

 This is something that you potentially have been pondering. Or something you are unsure about or really would love an answer to. I don’t always fill in this section but it is really helpful to do.

So why do this before you go to bed?

When we go to sleep our brain enters a state called THETA – this is a highly creative state where our brain can solve our questions whilst we sleep. The thoughs that prevail before bed time can have a profound effect on our brain chemistry and the quality of sleep and mood we wake up in the following day.

How many nights have you tossed and turned and recalled old problems and worrying throughs before you go to sleep? Woken up feeling stressed and as if you had not slept a wink.

Try the above practice and notice how easily you drift away and how you wake up with the answers you seek.

If you are not able to unwind in this way before going to bed it begs the question if you are stuck in a state of fight or flight and then there is potential that you need to seek further help to find a more functional way to deal with your stress.

Kinesiology is an incredible tool to get behind stress patterns the body and brain runs to resolve these patterns and bring you to a more functional repair state.

To find out more contact 07956528671

The science behind gratitude practices stacks up to outweigh any reservations there should be against starting yours today. Even just the little things like observing the practice of writing thank you cards can have a profound impact on how our bodies and mind responds to the hormones released in the body.

So this altruistic act has a little bit of a selfish purpose but the benefits extend to both the giver and the receiver of thanks.

Here is an expanded view on the science of gratitude.

The Power of Gratitude – A Scientific view.

Gratitude has the profound ability to elevate the body's energetic vibration, fostering healing, resilience, and harmony. According to Dr. David R. Hawkins in Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, emotions exist on a vibrational scale measured in frequencies (in hertz). Gratitude, associated with feelings of love, joy, and peace, vibrates at higher frequencies, creating a state of coherence in the body and mind. In contrast, lower emotions like anger and shame contribute to dissonance and stress, keeping the body locked in survival mode.

The Emotional Frequency Scale

Dr. Hawkins identified the following approximate frequencies for emotions:

Shame: 20 Hz

Guilt: 30 Hz

Fear: 100 Hz

Anger: 150 Hz

Neutrality: 250 Hz

Acceptance: 350 Hz

Love: 500 Hz

Joy: 540 Hz

Peace: 600 Hz

Higher vibrational states, such as gratitude and love, create a parasympathetic nervous system response, fostering relaxation, recovery, and healing. When we focus on gratitude, the body’s vagus nerve—a key player in the parasympathetic system—is toned. This nerve regulates vital functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing, promoting a calm state.

How Frequency Works in the Body

The body is an intricate system of energy fields and vibrations. Each organ, cell, and neural pathway resonates at specific frequencies. Stress and negative emotions disrupt these frequencies, leading to inflammation, tension, and disease. By cultivating gratitude, the body attunes to higher vibrations, which harmonize cellular functions, reduce cortisol levels, and promote healing.

When stuck in the sympathetic "fight-or-flight" state, driven by anger or stress, the body redirects energy toward immediate survival—shallow breathing, elevated heart rate, and tense muscles. Gratitude counteracts this by activating the parasympathetic "rest-and-digest" state, slowing the heart rate, relaxing muscles, and encouraging deep, restorative breathing.

Practical Steps for a Bedtime Gratitude Practice

Create a Calm Environment: Dim the lights, disconnect from devices, and settle into a quiet, comfortable space before bed.

Gratitude Journaling: Write down three things you are grateful for that day. Focus on the feelings associated with each.

Gratitude Breathing: Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Take slow, deep breaths, and on each exhale, silently say, "Thank you." Visualize waves of gratitude spreading through your body.

Positive Reframing: Reflect on challenges from the day and consciously reframe them with gratitude. For example, "I’m grateful for the strength this difficulty is building in me."

Body Gratitude Scan: As you lie down, direct appreciation toward each part of your body, from your toes to your head, thanking it for its support.

This practice not only raises your vibration but also conditions your nervous system to spend more time in the parasympathetic state, promoting deeper sleep, healing, and emotional resilience. Gratitude is a simple yet transformative tool to align the body with its highest potential for peace and vitality.