Gratitude is a potent antidote to negativity, because it doesn’t depend on your life circumstances. You could be poor and starving and yet still grateful for a warm breeze. Conversely, you could be rich and powerful and still be annoyed at the sound your husband makes when he’s chewing. Gratitude is a state of mind—in fact, there’s a gratitude circuit in your brain, badly in need of a workout. Strengthening that circuit brings the power to elevate your physical and mental health, boost happiness, improve sleep, and help you feel more connected to other people.
