Feeling grateful isn’t just a positive emotion—it’s one of the most powerful tools you have to build cognitive reserve and protect your brain from Alzheimer’s.

In this episode, we're breaking down the science-backed benefits of gratitude for your body and brain—and revealing why traditional practices fall short, and what to do instead to rewire your brain so you can reduce stress, improve your memory, and protect your brain against cognitive decline.

Plus we're sharing 4 journaling prompts that can make your gratitude practice truly transformative.

🎧 What to Listen For:

• (01:10) Why gratitude is more than a feel-good emotion—and how it rewires your brain
• (04:42) The three categories of gratitude benefits: physical, cognitive, and emotional
• (06:25) How gratitude reduces inflammation and lowers cortisol
• (08:15) The role of working memory and how gratitude strengthens it
• (10:03) The brain’s negativity bias and how gratitude helps shift your baseline
• (12:30) What the “meaning-making network” in your brain is—and why gratitude activates it
• (14:50) Why your gratitude practice isn’t working (and how to fix it)
• (16:17) The most powerful form of gratitude (it’s not what you think)
• (17:44) The journaling prompts Amy uses to tap into genuine, brain-changing gratitude
• (21:40) A personal story about the power of receiving gratitude—and how it fuels purpose and meaning

Gratitude isn’t just good for your mood—it’s essential for your brain health, especially if you’re trying to protect against Alzheimer’s.

Try one of Amy’s four prompts and feel the difference.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and follow Amy on Instagram @habitwhisperer for more tips on how to stay happy and healthy!

RESOURCES:

• Register for the FREE Masterclass: 5 Keys to Protecting Your Brain Health
• Book a FREE Discovery Call with Amy Lang
• Order Amy's book Thoughts Are Habits Too: Master Your Triggers, Free Yourself From Diet Culture, and Rediscover Joyful Eating.
• Follow Amy on Instagram @habitwhisperer