Did you know that simply receiving gratitude—genuinely feeling appreciated by someone else—can activate areas of your brain linked to wellbeing and positive connection?
It’s true. According to Dr. Andrew Huberman of Stanford University, when you spend just 1 to 5 minutes a day reflecting on a real moment when someone expressed heartfelt thanks to you, you can stimulate powerful neural networks in the brain—what researchers call pro-social circuits. These are the same circuits involved in feelings of safety, connection, and purpose.
Here’s what’s amazing: the gratitude doesn’t even have to come from something recent. It just has to be real and meaningful to you.
How to Practice “Receiving Gratitude”
This practice is simple, and it works best when you use a true story—either:
- A time when someone sincerely thanked you for something you did
- Or a real story (not fiction) where you witnessed someone else being deeply appreciated
The Conscious Mind can tell the difference between something real and something made up, so using a genuine memory or story you connect with is key.
Step-by-Step:
- Write the Story Down – Include the parts that mattered to you.
- What was the situation?
- What was the challenge?
- What was the help that was offered?
- How did it affect the person who received it?
- Bullet the Highlights – Once you have the full story, pull out 3–5 key points. These are the anchors you’ll return to each day.
- Reflect for 1–5 Minutes a Day – Read the highlights or simply recall them in your mind. Let yourself feel the moment. Don’t force it—just allow it to register.
Why This Works (And How It Helps Your Body Too)
Dr. Huberman shared research showing that this kind of focused reflection doesn’t just feel good—it actually lowers inflammation in the body. In one study, women who practiced this technique had reduced levels of two inflammatory chemicals: TNF-alpha and IL-6. These are both linked to stress and disease, so lowering them is a big deal.
In other words: thinking about a time you were truly appreciated doesn’t just lift your spirits—it could also support your physical health.
The above is from the Huberman Lab Podcast, hosted by Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman. If you’d like to dive deeper into the science, I’ve included the link below. But if you’re short on time—what I’ve shared here gives you everything you need to put it into practice.
It’s a small shift, but don’t underestimate it. A few minutes a day of sincere reflection—feeling the truth of being appreciated—can make a big impact on your mind and body.
Tap Here For Receiving Gratitude Quick Reference Card
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Disclaimer: The “Just Suppose Blog” shares ideas in exploring personal progress as derived from various sources. It is intended as information only and is not intended as advice to engage in any specific physical or mental activity. Always consider whether these ideas, concepts, techniques & activities are right for you and always confer with your health professionals.
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