Pix11 | Gratitudeology | Jamie Hess

Topics Covered:
- Finding gratitude even when you don't feel like it's accessible
- Common themes on the Gratitudeology Podcast
- The power of gratitude
- Reframing negative thinking
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Link to the full segment: pix11.com/video/finding-grati...
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1. Not everyone has an easy time practicing gratitude. What was your aha moment?
Just “getting grateful” doesn’t happen overnight. It is a practice, and takes exercise.
Very similar to how we will consistently exercise our biceps in the gym if we want to have great arms in a tank top, we have to exercise the neural pathways of our brain if we want to be intuitively grateful.
Neurons that fire together, wire together…
In other words, by integrating a (simple!) daily gratitude practice, you can rewire your brain to be less anxious and less focused on the negative and more focused on the positive.
2. What are some of the benefits of practicing gratitude? (please send a list)
- Doing a daily gratitude practice has been proven to:
- Decrease diastolic blood pressure
- Initiate the parasympathetic nervous system (the restful state)
- Decrease cortisol (the stress hormone)
- Improve sleep, mood, and immunity
- Decrease depression and improve productivity
3. You recently launched "The Gratitudeology" Podcast. What are some common themes you've come across?
The coolest thing I’ve come to realize is that, quite often, the darkest times in a person’s life can become their biggest pivot point to a life of happiness…. If they do the work to come out with a new sense of gratitude rather than a sense of resentment.
For instance, I spoke to Rainn Wilson (The Office), who’s difficult childhood put him on a lifelong journey to seek a sense of spirituality and gratitude.
Teddi Mellencamp (RHOBH) got a new perspective on life and what’s important by going through skin cancer.
Nev Schulman (Catfish) said he never would have learned his unique brand of empathy and gratitude for people’s stories if not for getting duped into a fake online relationship that thrust him into the spotlight and caused him to really look within at the purpose of it all.
Meditation & manifestation guru Gabby Bernstein said she never would have become the Oprah-endorsed spiritual leader, deemed “a new role model” by the New York Times… if not for her time as a drug addict.
My takeaway for audiences is this: you may feel like you’re in your darkest moment, but the light is just around the corner, and if you keep striving towards it, your greatest joy and enlightenment could follow.
4. Let's help people find gratitude in moments of chaos. We'll give you some stressful situations, and you explain how to practice gratitude.
SCENARIO #1: You walk into work and you immediately feel the stress seeping through your skin?
In this scenario, we’re usually focused on a host of self-centered fears. “My boss thinks I suck, my co-workers hate me, the client thinks I’m stupid.” These thoughts only persist so intrusively because we continue to lean into them.
A simple reframe is to make a short gratitude list that includes affirmations:
- I’m grateful to be employed - and ready to take on the day.
- I’m grateful to have a chance to learn new skills today - and competent to master them.
- I’m grateful to be an active member to my team - and proud of the work I contribute.
SCENARIO #2: Someone cuts you off in traffic and road rage hits?
This one is more of a “right-sizing” exercise. The anger towards the other person can be very visceral and real in the moment, but its importance is inflated (and we de-prioritize things that are actually important - like our safety).
The exercise here would look like this:
- I’m grateful for my ability to take the higher road and not react to this person.
- I’m grateful for my safety and wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.
I’m grateful for my family, and coming home to themin one piece is my only priority.
- I’m grateful I can allow the other person to act however they want - my only job is to control myself and “keep my proverbial side of the street clean”
SCENARIO #3: Parents who are at their wits end because their kids just won't listen?
This is one of the most challenging situation, but also the most poignant… because when our kids see us making a good choice grounded in gratitude, they absorb that life skill.
- I am grateful that I can remain calm and demonstrate emotional resilience for my child
- I am grateful that I have done the work to not overreact… because whenever I fly off the handle, I regret setting a bad example with my words or actions.
- I am grateful my child is safe. I don’t like their choice, but I can accept it as age-appropriate… and one day I’ll miss these moments. (great awareness!)