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tags: #psychology #happiness #gratitude

Gratitude is the practice of recognizing and appreciating the good things in one's life. It is a powerful tool for increasing well-being and has several key psychological benefits:

1. It Shifts Focus to the Positive: Gratitude actively counteracts the brain's natural negativity bias by forcing us to pay attention to what is going well.
2. It Fosters an Other-Centered Mindset: By recognizing that we receive good things from others, gratitude moves us away from a self-centered perspective toward one of connection and appreciation for others. This promotes feelings of love, which are more sustainable than the hubristic pride associated with superiority.
3. It Mitigates the Need for Superiority: When we are grateful for what we have, the desire to constantly compare ourselves to others and acquire more is diminished. It helps to break the cycle of the hedonic treadmill.

Practicing gratitude, whether through journaling, meditation, or simply taking a moment to reflect, is one of the most direct and effective ways to prioritize happiness.

Reference

Coursera, "A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment"