You wake up and the world feels heavy—emails waiting, to-dos multiplying, people needing something from you before you’ve even had a chance to breathe.

Gratitude is the last thing on your mind.

But then, you pause. 

You notice the quiet hum of the heater keeping your home warm. 

The softness of your blanket. The peaceful stillness before anyone else wakes up.

The sound of your child’s laughter echoing down the hall.

And just like that, something shifts.

That’s the power of gratitude—it doesn’t erase what’s hard, but it changes the lens you see it through.

The Science of Gratitude

We often treat gratitude like a fluffy concept or a seasonal nicety, but research shows it’s one of the most powerful tools for emotional resilience and well-being.

Gratitude doesn’t just make you happier—it makes you more grounded, creative, and present.

• A UC Davis study found that people who regularly practiced gratitude reported 25% higher sleep quality, more optimism, and lower stress.
• Harvard Health reports that gratitude literally rewires the brain’s reward system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• And in a Gallup workplace study, teams that intentionally expressed gratitude were 50% more engaged and had lower turnover—proof that thankfulness impacts not only how we feel, but how we lead.

Gratitude doesn’t just make you happier—it makes you more grounded, creative, and present.

My Morning Gratitude Practice

Every morning, before I check my phone or open my laptop, I write down five things I’m grateful for.

Sometimes they’re big—like my kids’ laughter, meaningful work, or deep conversations with my husband.

But often, they’re small:
The way sunlight spills across my desk.
The calm of a clean space.
A text from a friend who makes me laugh.
The warmth of my home after a long day.
A quiet moment just to breathe.

Those small acknowledgments have trained my brain to notice joy in the ordinary.

Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect—it’s about recognizing what’s already good, right here, right now.

Action Step: 3 Ways to build your gratitude Muscle

1. Start with the Micro-Thanks.

List one thing that made you smile today—no matter how small. 

It might be the crisp air on your morning walk, a song that lifted your mood, or the scent of your favorite candle. 

Micro-gratitude builds macro-shifts over time.

2. Write One Thank-You Each Week.

Send a note (or text) to someone who’s impacted you this year. 

It could be a friend, mentor, or even a coworker. 

Expressing appreciation out loud strengthens relationships and boosts oxytocin—your connection hormone.

3. Turn Frustrations Into Gratitude.

When something irritates you, pause and ask: “What’s the hidden gift here?” 

Maybe the delay forced rest, or the challenge grew your patience. 

Gratitude transforms obstacles into teachers.

How I Can Help

Fulfillment grows when we align gratitude with purpose. If you’re ready to live with more presence, peace, and intentional joy—not just during the holidays but all year long—here are three ways we can go deeper: 

1. Purchase my International Bestselling Book that goes through the framework that has helped 1,000+ coaching and executive clients. You can find more information HERE.
2. Join our upcoming retreat in 2026. Find more information HERE.
3. Build a custom strategy to reach your goals without burning out or compromising your purpose. Find out more information on this FREE complimentary call.

Your turn to reflect a step further:
What are five small things you’re grateful for right now?

Write them down—and notice how your energy shifts.

– Christi Cossette