Gratitude is good for your brain and your happiness.

My Psychologist Is Me: A Space To Learn, Grow And Heal From Within.

Tips, reflections and resources on how to take care of your mental health, improve your self-esteem and develop your potential. I do not intend to replace professional help, but rather to complement it and motivate you to be your own psychologist. I hope you like it and that it inspires you.

Gratitude is an attitude that consists of recognizing and appreciating what we have, what we are and what surrounds us. It is a way of valuing the good things in life, without taking them for granted. It helps us focus on the positive, rather than the negative, and cultivate a mindset of abundance, rather than scarcity.

But gratitude not only makes us feel good, it also has scientifically proven benefits for our physical and mental health. Recent studies have shown that practicing gratitude can increase the production of dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that play a key role in regulating mood, pleasure, motivation, and learning. These brain chemicals are the same ones that are affected by antidepressants, suggesting that gratitude may have a similar effect as these medications, but without the side effects.

Additionally, gratitude can strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, self-esteem, and social relationships. By expressing gratitude, we not only feel happier, but we also make others happy, creating a virtuous cycle of kindness and generosity.

How can we practice gratitude in our daily lives? There are many simple and effective ways to incorporate this habit into our routine, such as:

• Keep a gratitude journal, where each day we write at least three things we are grateful for, whether big or small.

• Say "thank you" frequently and sincerely, both to the people who help us and to ourselves, for our achievements and efforts.

• Make a list of the things we have and sometimes take for granted, such as health, family, friends, work, food, water, air, etc.

• Meditate on gratitude, focusing our attention on the sensations, emotions and thoughts that gratitude generates in us.

• Write letters or messages of gratitude to people who have had a positive impact on our lives, and if possible, deliver them or read them in person.

• Practice collective gratitude, sharing with others what makes us feel grateful, and celebrating the successes and joys of others.

Gratitude is one of the keys to a full and happy life. Not only does it make us more aware of what we have, but it also opens the doors to new opportunities and experiences. It connects us with ourselves, with others and with the universe. It is a gift that we give ourselves and that we give to the world.

And you, what are you grateful for today?