Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families Why Australia Needs Its Own Thanksgiving
Nov 23, 2025
What if Australia embraced its own version of Thanksgiving? Discover how gratitude can enhance family bonds and improve mental health. Research reveals that gratitude not only reduces anxiety but can even lower mortality rates. Learn about easy and meaningful rituals to practice gratitude at home, like creating a gratitude tree. Explore the cultural barriers Australians face regarding vulnerability and appreciation. Finally, hear personal stories illustrating the transformative power of gratitude in challenging times.
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Gratitude Is A Powerful Health Intervention
- Gratitude is a low-cost, high-impact intervention with broad health benefits.
- Justin highlights it can reduce mortality and improve mental health without medication.
Large Study Links Gratitude To Lower Mortality
- Harvard research tracked nearly 50,000 nurses and found top gratitude scorers had 9% lower all-cause mortality.
- The study controlled for health, religion, lifestyle and optimism, strengthening the link.
Gratitude Rewires The Brain
- Neuroscience shows gratitude activates the ACC and medial prefrontal cortex and calms the amygdala.
- This rewiring reduces inflammatory markers and supports emotional connection.