Your brain is wired to scan for threats, not to notice what went right. That negativity bias kept your ancestors alive, but now it keeps you lying awake ruminating, reaching for something to take the edge off, and wondering why you can never feel satisfied. When the wanting system in your brain grows louder while the liking system goes quiet, no amount of willpower closes that gap.

Kristin Horstman, gray area drinking coach and host of Sunsets Are the New Happy Hour, breaks down the neuroscience of why gratitude is a nervous system regulation tool, not a platitude. She covers negativity bias, the wanting vs. liking dopamine split from Berridge and Robinson's research, brain imaging studies on gratitude, and heart rate variability. Then she guides you through The One Good Thing, a somatic practice you can do in 10 seconds anywhere. Built for sober curious women who are done white-knuckling it and ready for something that actually works.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:50) Why Your Brain Skips the Good

(01:55) Gratitude in Brain Imaging Studies

(03:14) Heart Rate Variability and Safety

(04:02) The Wanting vs. Liking Split

(05:41) Why One Try Never Works

(06:48) The One Good Thing Practice

(08:22) Kristin's Story: Gratitude Under Pressure

(10:26) Your Challenge: Pick a Cue

The One Good Thing practice takes 10 seconds. leave a comment if you tried it while you were watching the video.

If you're ready to feel better, think clearer, and brighten your life, you're in the right place. SUBSCRIBE for new episodes every week.

As always, I'm rooting for you. 🌅

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