"With gratitude optimism is sustainable." -Michael J Fox
Have you been lacking optimism lately? The end of the school year can drag. Testing can be challenging. You can lose your positive outlook on school, students, or even life.
Thankfully we have a great way to help us reorganize our thinking. Gratitude Mindfulness.
In case reading his words didn't hit you with profound introspection, listen here - Find Something To Be Grateful For
This is a lesson we all need to learn and then pass along to our students. We have the ability to dig deep into gratitude and embody it daily. All it takes is a gratitude mindfulness practice.
I have shared about this mindfulness in the past, but it is always worth revisiting to remind us to reframe and refocus our thinking.
In a 2003 article Psychology Today shared information regarding our brains, the negative bias, and what it takes to create space for the positive.
The article started by sharing a study conducted by John Cacioppo, PhD. While Cacioppo was at Ohio State he conducted a study in which participants were shown positive pictures and negative pictures. The brain was watched during this time to see neurological reactions.
This study concluded that our brains show a greater surge of electrical activity and a stronger response toward what is perceived as negative. From this information it was also observed that the negative more heavily influenced attitudes of participants.
Let's take a moment to think about what this means in a school setting.
When something negative occurs brains are more readily attentive and reactive. Our students see others acting out, hear adults yelling, and thus their brains are on the negative path....and so is their attitude.
The Psychology Today article goes on to talk about multiple studies replicating the findings of Cacioppo. It has been discovered that what we need is to find that atmosphere needed between the negative and positive to help rewire the brain toward the positive. We need to find the balance. Our brains were hardwired toward the negative for survival purposes. We cannot undo this, but we can help change some wiring to see more positive.
In a study on marriage and sustainability, researchers found what they now call the magic ratio. If the magic ratio is utilized in a relationship, the relationship has a higher survival rate. The magic ratio is 5-1.
We need 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction.
Other studies looked at the magic ratio outside of a romantic relationship and found that the 5-1 continues to be what our brains need to find the right atmosphere between negative and positive.
Think about what this might mean with your classes. What about that one student who is always in trouble? What about that one student you do not connect well with and struggle to see the positive?
What might it look like if you made sure you followed up with 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction with this student?
We can use a Gratitude Mindfulness to help us with rewiring our own brains to see the positive. We can then use the magic ratio to create the atmosphere needed to help positivity thrive.
A basic gratitude mindfulness practice asks us to notice at least 3 good things each day. Once we notice them, affirm them. Say them out loud or write them down. Finally, savor at least one. Pick one and think about all the senses involved in this gratitude. Think about what made this your gratitude. Savor the moment, place, or person.
My gratitude journal is not very full. Thanks for the reminder to start journaling the good stuff again.
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