1.0Teresa Colanerihttps://www.teresacolaneri.com/blogTeresa Colanerihttps://www.teresacolaneri.com/blog/author//rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="wHS9WbzSA3"><a href="https://www.teresacolaneri.com/blog/667-2/">The Neuroscience of Gratitude</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.teresacolaneri.com/blog/667-2/embed/#?secret=wHS9WbzSA3" width="600" height="338" title="“The Neuroscience of Gratitude” — Teresa Colaneri" data-secret="wHS9WbzSA3" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.teresacolaneri.com/blog/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script> Thanksgiving Reflections: The Neuroscience of Gratitude From Temporary Feelings to Lasting Fulfillment As we enter this season of gratitude, I invite you to pause—not just to think about what you’re thankful for, but to feel it fully. Gratitude isn’t simply a nice idea; it’s a state of consciousness with measurable effects on the mind, body, heart and the evnironment you create around you. Research shows that when we experience genuine gratitude, the brain lights up in the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate—regions associated with reward, empathy, and moral awareness. In other words, gratitude biologically connects us to the higher aspects of who we are. As you may have epxerienced, practicing gratitude has been shown to: Improve mood and emotional resilience Enhance relationships and compassion Regulate the nervous system and support restful sleep Increase heart-rate variability—a sign of inner coherence and well-being Why It’s Hard to Stay in Gratitudehttps://www.teresacolaneri.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-20-at-5.45.47-PM.png