Gratitude as Medicine

Lani Cochran, LMT/NTP
10 hours ago
2 min read

How thankfulness nourishes both body and mind

When we think of gratitude, we often picture handwritten notes or a moment of quiet reflection at the dinner table. But gratitude is more than good manners — it’s a powerful biological reset.

Research shows that consistent gratitude practice can lower stress hormones, steady heart rate and blood pressure, improve sleep, and even reduce inflammation.

In other words, gratitude doesn’t just feel good — it is good for you.

At Little Bird, we see this every day. When clients slow down, breathe, and take time to notice what’s working instead of what’s wrong, their muscles soften, their breath deepens, and their whole nervous system starts to regulate. Gratitude shifts us out of survival mode and into presence — the space where healing actually happens.

Here are a few simple ways to weave gratitude into your daily rhythm:

1. Start small and consistent

Keep a small notebook or use the notes app on your phone. Each night, jot down three things you appreciated that day — a kind word, warm soup, a moment of laughter. It’s not about big gestures; it’s about retraining the mind to notice nourishment.

2. Express it out loud

Tell someone you appreciate them. Send a message. Write a heart on our Gratitude Hearts wall at the office. Speaking gratitude gives it weight — it leaves your body, and it changes someone else’s day, too.

3. Anchor it in your body

Gratitude doesn’t only live in the mind. Try pairing a slow exhale with the thought, “I’m thankful for…” or place a hand on your heart when you feel appreciation rise. This simple act signals the body that it’s safe to soften.

4. Use gratitude as a reset

When stress shows up — in traffic, at work, or when your to-do list spills over — pause and find one thing that’s okay in that moment. Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff; it just widens the lens.