Abby Cadabby, a fairy who learns the magical effect of gratitude on mood, joins Dr. Laurie Santos in a special collaboration with Sesame Street. They discuss the power of gratitude in shifting focus, improving well-being, and strengthening relationships. They also emphasize the importance of parents modeling gratitude for children and explore how gratitude can help during tough times.
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Quick takeaways
Practicing gratitude can shape children's well-being and resilience, teaching them to appreciate the good things in life and increasing their sense of belonging and happiness.
Gratitude is a powerful tool that boosts positive emotions, strengthens social connections, and helps us navigate tough times with resilience, making a significant impact on our overall well-being.
Deep dives
The Power of Gratitude: Finding Happiness in Everyday Moments
Gratitude is a magical practice that can help us appreciate the good things in life, even in challenging times. Teaching children to practice gratitude from a young age can shape their well-being and resilience. Noticing and acknowledging the blessings around us, such as nature and people's kindness, can increase our sense of belonging and happiness. Gratitude also motivates us to reciprocate kindness, strengthening our relationships. Even in the face of adversity, gratitude helps us find moments of joy and connection, making a significant impact on our overall well-being.
The Importance of Starting Early: Building Happiness Habits for Life
Research suggests that the happiness habits we develop as children greatly influence our well-being as adults. Emotion regulation, in particular, plays a crucial role in overall happiness and success. Children who are proficient at managing their emotions tend to excel academically, have better relationships, and are less likely to experience anxiety and depression. By teaching kids the skills of emotion regulation and gratitude, parents and caregivers can lay a foundation for a happy and fulfilling life.
Noticing the Good: The Science Behind Gratitude
Practicing gratitude goes against our natural tendency to focus on negativity, but research shows that it is a powerful tool for improving mental health and overall well-being. Gratitude boosts positive emotions, increases life satisfaction, promotes better sleep, and strengthens social connections. Taking a moment to notice and appreciate the good things in life, as well as the kindness of others, can shift our mindset and help us navigate tough times with resilience.
Gratitude as a Family Practice: The Benefits of Shared Appreciation
In times of collective stress or personal challenges, gratitude can help families feel less isolated and more connected. By cultivating a practice of gratitude within the family unit, parents can foster resilience and strengthen bonds among family members. Not only does gratitude provide emotional support and comfort during difficult times, but it also promotes pro-social behavior and reinforces positive relationships. Incorporating gratitude rituals and modeling grateful behaviors can set the stage for happier and more fulfilling family dynamics.
It's never too early or too late to learn how to be happier. Whether you're aged 3, 23 or 103, we've teamed up with our furry friends from Sesame Street to bring you fun and fact-based tips to improve the wellbeing of you and the people around you.
We begin with Abby Cadabby - a fairy who isn't having such a great day. Her usual spells can't rid her of her "grumpies", so Dr Laurie teaches her the magical effect that being grateful for who and what is around you can have on your mood.
(Sesame Workshop is a non-profit organization with a mission to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. The work they do is funded by donations big and small - so if you want to become a part of their important work to improve children’s emotional well-being, then visit: sesameworkshop.org/support-us/)