Gratitude and awe can change our perspectives
Louise Lettstrom-Hannant examines the benefits of
The new year has begun. Hopefully, we have come through the worst of the pandemic. There is still enough worrying news to crowd the headlines and fill the airwaves. That leads to stress and takes a toll on our mental and physical well-being.
When COVID-19 appeared, I decided to turn my attention to what science-based literature had to say about how to support our wellness, particularly the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the network of nerves that relaxes our body after periods of stress or danger. It also helps run life-sustaining processes, like digestion, relaxation, and recovery. With this insight, I introduced, through Lindenlea Community Centre, a chair class that combines meditation with mobility exercises.
Through the long months of the pandemic, I turned my sporadic meditation practice into a daily early-morning routine. Now, I start the day feeling uplifted and my energy level stays high throughout the day.
I was able to enhance my daily meditation by including the powerful emotion of gratitude. Regular meditation and practices of gratitude rewire our brains and change the environment in our bodies. Ground-breaking research is underway into how some emotions change our brainwaves and contribute to heart and brain coherence.
While meditating—bringing awareness to something or someone with an intention of compassion, love, or gratitude—we focus on the good things in life and release life-supporting molecules and hormones.
Awe and wonder release hormones such as oxytocin, the love hormone that stimulates growth, resilience, and healing.
Reducing anxiety
What does it take to experience awe and wonder? Bringing awareness away from ourselves. Perceiving the greatness and mystery that surrounds us. Being mesmerized by a sparkling starry sky, absorbed by a beautiful piece of music or literature. Appreciating the gifts and good in our lives. We need to stimulate the mind and the body. It matters what we think and intend.
As a health and wellness specialist, I teach many different types of exercise classes. I promote the immense health benefits of different types of walking. It improves our physical conditioning and balance. Walking in the company of others stimulates our social needs. Choosing new paths stimulates the brain. The walk does not always have to be fast or achieve 10,000 steps. A stroll through our neighbourhood is an opportunity to see the “small” things, the way the leaves swirl, the immense canopy and structure of a tree, and the beauty and elegance of a blue jay.
Allowing wonder and beauty to enter the brain reduces anxiety. It makes us more generous. It may even reduce inflammation and pain.
It is impossible to control everyone and everything around us to avoid being stressed and frustrated. The good news is that we can control how we feel and react to stressors!
The season of celebration ahead may bring gifts that elicit gratitude and awe. It is a chance to rededicate ourselves to our planet, to each other, and life and love all around us.
Louise Lettstrom-Hannant is a certified personal trainer/fitness specialist and holistic wellness consultant. She also teaches yoga and fitness classes through the Manor Park Community Council.