Gratitude and the Nervous System: Why Giving Thanks Is Good for Your Health
November is a month that naturally draws our attention toward gratitude — a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the people and moments that shape our lives. But did you know that gratitude doesn’t just make you feel good emotionally? It also has a measurable impact on your nervous system and overall health.
At intūn ChiroCare, we talk often about the importance of balance — especially within your autonomic nervous system. This system controls how your body responds to stress and recovery. It’s always working behind the scenes, toggling between two main states: fight-or-flight (the stress response) and rest-and-digest (the healing state).
Here’s where gratitude comes in.
When you intentionally focus on what you’re thankful for, your body naturally begins to shift out of stress mode and into a calmer, more regulated state. Research shows that gratitude can:
✨ Lower blood pressure and heart rate
✨ Improve heart rate variability (HRV) — a key marker of adaptability
✨ Boost serotonin and dopamine — the body’s natural “feel good” neurotransmitters
✨ Improve sleep and emotional resilience
Simply put: gratitude calms your nervous system and strengthens your ability to adapt to life’s ups and downs.
The best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Gratitude can be woven into the smallest parts of your day — it just takes awareness and consistency.
Here are a few easy ways to practice gratitude this season:
💛 Start each morning by naming three things you’re thankful for.
💛 Keep a “gratitude note” in your phone to jot down blessings throughout the day.
💛 Express appreciation to someone — a friend, co-worker, or family member — who’s made a difference in your life.
💛 Before bed, reflect on one moment that brought you joy.
And don’t forget: your body is one of your greatest gifts. Take care of it. Listen to it. Thank it for all that it does to carry you through life.
Chiropractic care plays a unique role in this, too. By restoring communication between your brain and body, adjustments help your nervous system function more efficiently — allowing you to feel gratitude more fully and respond to stress with greater ease.
So as you gather around tables, light candles, and share meals this month, I invite you to carry this truth with you:
Gratitude is more than a feeling — it’s a practice of healing.
Take a moment this week to breathe deeply, soften your shoulders, and find one small thing to be thankful for. Your body and nervous system will thank you right back. 🌿