Behavioral Grooves Podcast The Science of Being Thankful
Nov 27, 2025
Explore the fascinating psychology of gratitude and how it enhances well-being, from boosting happiness to improving relationships. Delve into the reasons many struggle to express appreciation, including miscalibrated expectations and the belief that others can intuit our feelings. Discover practical tips like journaling and making gratitude specific to deepen connections. Learn why expressing thanks in person amplifies emotional bonds and consider opening conversations this Thanksgiving by highlighting what you appreciate in others.
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Gratitude Rewires Your Brain
- Gratitude rewires attention so you notice more positive things in life.
- Keeping a gratitude practice trains your brain to seek and see benefits more often.
We Misjudge How Gratitude Is Received
- People underestimate how much others appreciate being thanked and fear awkwardness.
- We also overestimate how much others can read our internal feelings of gratitude.
Familiarity Hides Important Contributions
- Familiarity bias makes us take close people for granted and skip saying thanks.
- Imagining life without someone highlights their everyday impact and increases gratitude.