Aging Gratefully: The Brain’s Role in Aging Well
Oct 31, 2024 12:00PM ● By Crista Mathew
By JK250\AdobeStock
When you think about aging, what comes to mind? Is it excitement and joyful anticipation of what’s to come, or do feelings of loss and decline dominate your thoughts?
In American culture, aging is often seen in a negative light. Research suggests that many Americans associate aging with physical and cognitive decline, loss of social status, and decreased relevance in society. It’s no wonder that Americans spent $13 billion on anti-aging products in 2022, with that market expected to triple by 2034.
Yet, other cultures view aging much more positively. In Japan and China, older adults are revered for their wisdom and experience. Even within the U.S., perspectives on aging can vary across ethnic groups, often shaped by cultural values that emphasize respect for elders.
While aging undeniably brings change, it also offers us something powerful—gratitude. Science shows that cultivating gratitude not only boosts joy but also supports better physical health, emotional well-being, and even brain function. In other words, gratitude helps us age well by shifting our focus from loss to abundance.
Gratitude, Stress and Brain Health: The Connection
Gratitude is more than just a feel-good emotion. It’s a practice that can profoundly reshape how we experience life, especially as we grow older. Studies show that a consistent gratitude practice can lower cortisol, the stress hormone that wreaks havoc on our bodies and brains as we age. By actively focusing on gratitude, we help reduce stress and strengthen the brain’s ability to remain resilient—even during challenging times. But it’s not always easy to tap into gratitude, especially when chronic stress has taken hold. When stress becomes chronic, it throws our brain off balance, making it harder to relax and fully enjoy life. When stress lingers, it clouds our ability to feel gratitude, joy and contentment—making the process of aging feel more burdensome than necessary.
That’s where brain health becomes essential in the aging process. Maintaining a balanced, stress-free brain is key to sustaining gratitude and, in turn, aging gracefully. When your brain is calm and functioning optimally, gratitude flows naturally, enhancing emotional well-being and keeping you more engaged with life’s daily joys.
Cereset: Unlocking the Brain’s Natural Ability to Reset
Sometimes, no matter how much we try to practice gratitude, the stress of life can overwhelm us, making it difficult to maintain a positive outlook. The good news is that your brain has an incredible ability to release that stuck stress—if given the right support.
Cereset, which is short for cerebrum and reset, is a patented brain technology that helps your brain naturally release accumulated stress, restoring balance and flexibility. When your brain is balanced, you’re better equipped to access gratitude, experience inner peace, and sleep more deeply. This shift doesn’t just benefit your emotional state—it supports your body’s overall health, promoting a more graceful aging process.
In fact, clients who use Cereset report feeling more contentment, gratitude, joy and resilience, with improved sleep, energy and mental clarity. By allowing your brain to release stress naturally, Cereset opens the door to aging gratefully—with more ease, joy and emotional balance.
As Thanksgiving draws near, we’re reminded of the power of gratitude. Consider how nurturing your brain health might help you embrace aging in a more positive light, with thanks.
Crista Mathew is the owner of Cereset Westport located at 18 Kings Hwy. N., Westport. If you’re ready to support your brain health and unlock its natural ability to reset, call Cereset Westport today to schedule your sessions. Receive a complimentary tune-up with the full wellness package (a $250 value). Offer valid through November 30 and cannot be combined with other offers. For more information, call 203-557-3299 or email [email protected]. See ad, page 5.
Cereset Westport - 18 Kings Hwy N, Westport, CT
Cereset (Cerebrum + Reset) is a proven technology that helps the brain to relax, rebalance and reset itself naturally by listening to its own echo. A relaxed and balanced brain helps cli... Read More »