DISH
6 min read
Is It Possible to Show Too Much Gratitude?
To unpack this complex idea, we're thrilled to introduce Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky - a distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Riverside and celebrated author of The How of Happiness and The Myths of Happiness. Dr. Lyubomirsky’s renowned research focuses on the science of lasting happiness, particularly through gratitude and kindness.
She explores the surprising ways our best intentions with gratitude might need a rethink.
"The Science of 'Thank You'" argues that when it comes to gratitude, the frequency and method of practice are crucial amongst other key takeaways!
Tired of daily gratitude feeling like a chore? A weekly ritual might be more powerful. Here’s how to make it work:
Go Weekly, Not Daily: Pick one day a week to list 3-5 things you're grateful for. This keeps the practice feeling special and intentional.
Savor the Details: Don’t just write "a call from a friend." Relive how it felt. Picturing the positive emotions boosts the impact.
Keep It Fresh: Avoid repeating the same list ("family, job, sleep"). Challenge yourself to notice new or specific blessings from your week.
Upgrade Your Environment: Light a candle, play music, or sip tea. Turning it into a pleasant ritual you look forward to makes all the difference.
The key is to avoid "gratitude fatigue." By making it a meaningful weekly moment instead of a daily checklist, you can tap into its true happiness-boosting potential.
Learn more here and sign up for her Happiness Files newsletter (we highly recommend it!)
