Why Being Grateful Makes Us Feel Great (A Thanksgiving Re-run)

In this episode of The Happiness Lab, Dr. Laurie Santos interviews Professor David DeSteno about the power of gratitude. DeSteno explains that willpower alone is often insufficient for achieving long-term goals and can even lead to stress and premature aging. He argues that cultivating moral emotions like gratitude can be a more effective strategy. Gratitude makes us value long-term goals over immediate gratification, leading to better financial decisions, healthier habits, and improved work productivity. DeSteno suggests practical ways to cultivate gratitude, such as daily reflections on small things and engaging in reciprocity rings to foster a culture of gratitude. Ultimately, gratitude is not a sign of weakness but a powerful emotion that benefits both personal well-being and long-term success.