"I work with many kids who struggle with anxiety, ADHD, or depression, and gratitude has become one of the simplest and most effective tools I introduce. It helps steady the mind, strengthen resilience, and build connection. Below, I explore the science behind why gratitude helps, how it supports kids and teens, and how adults can model it. I also share a personal story about why I am recommitting to gratitude in my own life."
"At its core, gratitude is the emotional and cognitive process of recognizing that something or someone has positively impacted us and feeling thankful for it (Diniz et al., 2023). For a young child, this might be "My teacher helped me tie my shoe." For a teenager, it may sound like "I am grateful my friend stood up for me when I felt left out." Gratitude is both the feeling and the awareness of kindness, support, or a positive moment."
Gratitude is the process of recognizing that something or someone has positively impacted an individual and feeling thankful. Examples range from a child noting a teacher's help to a teen appreciating a friend's support. Neuroscience shows gratitude activates brain regions linked to emotion regulation, reward, empathy, and meaning-making, and repeated practice strengthens pathways that bias attention toward positives. Practicing gratitude steadies the mind, builds resilience, and strengthens social connection, making it useful for youth with anxiety, ADHD, or depression. Adults modeling gratitude and using simple daily practices helps make gratitude habitual and supportive.
Read at Psychology Today
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