We’re always told that gratitude is the route to happiness – that we should be grateful for every experience we have. But when life feels like it’s falling apart, gratitude can feel less like a comfort and more like pressure. In reality, gratitude and pain often have to coexist.

In this episode, we ask whether gratitude actually does make us happier - what it really is, how it rewires the brain, and why it sometimes feels impossible.

We explore:

•        What makes gratitude so powerful
•        The cognitive and neuroscientific mechanisms behind gratitude
•        Toxic gratitude when life simply feels hard
•        The gratitude paradox
•        The guilt associated with not being grateful enough
•        Some alternatives for when gratitude feels inaccessible

If you’ve ever struggled with the idea that you ‘should’ be thankful for the hard times in life, this episode is for you.

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The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.