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Teaching SEL

Social Emotional Learning Lessons for Teachers and Counselors

  • Social and Emotional Learning
    • Social Decision Making and Problem Solving
    • Elementary SEL Lessons
    • Middle School SEL Lessons
    • Self Awareness
    • Self Management
    • Social Awareness
    • Relationship Skills
    • Responsible Decision-Making
    • The Power of Gratitude
    • Enhancing Social-Emotional Learning
  • The Mindset Advantage
    • Embracing the Mindset of a Jedi
    • Expanding Your Vision: Embracing New Perspectives
    • What’s Your Mindset?
    • Mindset and Learning Strategies in the Classroom
  • Mindfulness
    • Igniting the Power of Mindfulness in Elementary Classrooms
    • Breathwork: Enhance Your Well-Being
    • Exploring the Depths of Self-Awareness: Navigating Mindfulness Across States of Mind
    • Rewiring Your Brain through Neuroplasticity
    • Two Wolves: The Power of Awareness and Consequences
    • Recognizing the Power of Connection: Building Stronger Relationships
  • Character Development
    • Overcoming Challenges and Completing Tasks
    • Embracing Diversity
    • Self Control
    • The Ripple Effect of Kindness
    • The Transformative Power of Gratitude
  • Neuroscience
    • The Role of Emotions in Learning
    • Neuroplasticity Unveiled: Harnessing the Power of Your Brain
    • Understanding ADHD
    • The Growth Potential of Mistakes
  • About Neal

Exploring the Science of Gratitude

Breaking Free from Stress and Cultivating Positive Neural Pathways:

Counting Blessings versus Burdens

Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds.

In our fast-paced lives, many of us find ourselves constantly burdened by stress. We face the relentless pressure to excel academically, perform exceptionally in sports, and meet the expectations of our social circle and loved ones. This overwhelming stress manifests as anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, and a host of other negative emotions.

Unveiling the Challenge:

Our brains, with their remarkable plasticity, are shaped by our thoughts. The more we subject ourselves to stressors and negative thinking, the more deeply these thoughts etch themselves into the neural pathways of our brain. As these neural pathways become entrenched, negative thought patterns become habitual.

The Amygdala, a key player in our brain, triggers the Fight/Flight/Freeze response when confronted with stress, trapping us in a cycle of seeking out and reacting to negative stimuli. We become perpetually attuned to potential threats, locked in a state of chronic stress.

Discovering the Solution:

Gratitude emerges as a powerful antidote to break the cycle of stress and negative thought patterns. By consciously focusing on what we are grateful for and what brings us joy, we can calm the overactive Amygdala. Over time, this practice trains our brain to recognize and appreciate positive aspects of life. Neural pathways associated with joyfulness and positivity deepen, fostering habits that sustain positive experiences while diminishing the grip of stress.

Shifting Perspectives:

To begin this transformative journey, take a piece of paper and divide it into three columns labeled as follows: people, places, things. In each column, jot down everything you feel grateful for in these respective categories. Take it a step further by expressing your gratitude to the people you appreciate or writing a positive review on a social platform for a place that holds significance to you.

Unleash the Power of Gratitude:

By exploring the science of gratitude and actively practicing it, you can liberate yourself from the clutches of stress and negativity. Embrace the opportunity to reshape your brain’s neural pathways and cultivate a more joyful and positive existence.

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