Guided Gratitude Sunday's Meditation. Keep being kind to your mind

As a scientist I worked in the areas of life sciences, neurosciences and evolution. I combine all this knowledge together with my yoga and meditation - teacher training teachings into modern meditations which provide you with tools to live better, healthier, happier lives.

Did you know that neuroscience knows exactly where the feelings of gratitude happen in our brains??

Brain chemicals or neurotransmitters influence our mood!

When we enter into a grateful state of mind, the brain releases dopamine and serotonin that are crucial happiness neurotransmitters.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter often referred to as the “motivation molecule”. Dopamine contributes to feelings of motivation, happiness and focus!

In this guided Gratitude Meditation you are going to get your load of these happiness molecules and all the benefits they have on your body. For more information and details on this, read the science of gratitude story I wrote for you at the end of this announcement (scroll all the way to the end of this announcement).

This meet-up is for everyone, men and women, those with and without previous meditation experience.

It's OK if you never had experience with meditations before. Everyone is able to do the practices which I will guide you through.

I will guide you through easy heart-warming gratitude meditation.

For this event prepare yourself in a comfortable seated position (few pillows or a folded up blanket for your seat and if you need to, something to support your back...maybe a pillow on the wall behind your back if you will be seated on the floor).

We will start at 7.00 pm.
Duration between 30 and 45 minutes.

We will connect via zoom
Link will be provided upon your RSVP

Meeting ID: 225 479 4750
Passcode: KBSZ7K

The usual disclaimer:
participation is at your own responsibility. Participants confirm by their registration that they are physically and mentally healthy to participate in this event. Participants under the influence of alcohol or behaving inappropriately are excluded from participation. Respectful behaviour among participants is a must.

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy,

Maja

Here is a little science story I prepared for you.

Read it carefully and then act wisely. :)

The story is called: The neuroscience of gratitude

Did you know that neuroscience knows exactly where the feelings of gratitude happen in our brains??

Studies have shown that feelings of gratitude are primarily evoked in deep regions in the brain’s frontal lobes and play a role in emotional responses, empathy, decision-making and self-control.

Brain chemicals or neurotransmitters influence our mood!

When we enter into a grateful state of mind, the brain releases dopamine and serotonin that are crucial happiness neurotransmitters.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter often referred to as the “motivation molecule”. Dopamine contributes to feelings of motivation, happiness and focus!

Dopamine also plays a role in our blood vessel function, movements, and heart rate!

Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that is often referred to as the “happiness chemical”, due to its critical role in feelings of well-being and happiness.

Serotonin also plays a role in our sleep, digestion, and sexual function. Serotonin is primarily housed in our gut but passes through the blood brain barrier to affect the brain.

Due to the release of these neurotransmitters, studies have shown that a consistent gratitude practice can decrease your risk of depression and anxiety and improve your mood and decision-making in both an immediate and lasting way!

Gratitude can also release (lessen) toxic emotions.

Gratitude may have profound effects on the body’s nervous system. When you are relaxed and feeling positive emotions your body shifts into a parasympathetic state which allows your nervous system to rest and regenerate!

On a day-to-day basis many of us are stuck in a sympathetic state or a state of stress also known as “fight or flight”. Therefore, we need to put our bodies into a more restful and relaxed state daily!!!

Luckily nowadays, tools for this are known! A gratitude practice is a catalyst into this state!

Gratitude can also lead to lower cortisol levels and proper sleep, which further leads to lower inflammation levels in the body.

In general, gratitude is a powerful brain boosting tool! You could almost call it a miraculous tool.

If you summarise all these science facts, I think there is nothing else left to say than: Making time for self-care is no joke!

After all, we meditate to be better at life!

Yours truly,
Maja
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