The Center for Growth

23/07/2025

Seasonal Depression in the...summer!?

Surely you have heard about “the winter blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how it can decrease your mood when the weather turns colder and…

20/07/2025

17/07/2025

Is caring what other's think of you holding you back or making your life more stressful?

No matter how secure we may be as individuals, it is natural to care what others think. First, it is important to remember that caring what others think…

14/07/2025

Is it OCD or Perfectionism? Learn the difference here...

Some people might look at their behaviors and wonder if they have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD); a mental health diagnosis where individuals have…

13/07/2025

https://youtu.be/1Evwgu369Jw?si=rbb53CeYg-_fbY5E

What is the best way to ease someone's pain and suffering? In this beautifully animated RSA Short, Dr Brené Brown reminds us that we can only create a genuin...

11/07/2025

Gratitude, far from being a sentimental notion, has emerged as a scientifically supported force capable of transforming the human brain and improving overall mental health. Neuroscientific studies have shown that regularly practicing gratitude activates brain regions associated with moral cognition, emotional regulation, and reward, particularly the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex (Zahn et al., 2009). Notably, Dr. Alex Korb, in his book The Upward Spiral, describes how gratitude stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin—two neurotransmitters vital for mood stabilization and happiness—making it a powerful natural antidepressant. A growing body of evidence confirms that this effect is not fleeting: a study by the University of California, Berkeley, led by Joel Wong and Joshua Brown (2017), found that individuals who wrote gratitude letters showed significantly better mental health outcomes even 12 weeks after the exercise, regardless of whether the letters were sent. In parallel, Emmons and McCullough (2003) demonstrated that individuals who kept a gratitude journal for just 10 weeks reported increased optimism, better sleep, and more physical activity. Furthermore, gratitude has been shown to enhance the neural modulation of the prefrontal cortex, which reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety by strengthening pathways that suppress negative emotions. According to McCraty & Childre (2004), gratitude also reduces cortisol levels—the primary stress hormone—improving cardiovascular health and emotional resilience. At the structural level, researchers like Zahn et al. (2014) have found that individuals who frequently feel gratitude show increased gray matter volume in the right inferior temporal gyrus, which plays a key role in interpreting social signals and emotional meaning. As UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center puts it, “Gratitude changes the neural structures of the brain,” reshaping how we perceive and engage with the world. Ultimately, gratitude doesn't just feel good—it rewires the brain toward greater emotional intelligence, social connection, and resilience, offering a neuropsychological foundation for a healthier and more fulfilling life.

09/07/2025

"Sometimes it can feel like we live our lives holding our breath, forgetting our need to exhale and then inhale deeply again. This is precisely the reason why it is important to plan for regular times of retreat..."

This is precisely the reason why it is important to plan for regular times of retreat. A retreat is intentional time set apart. We’re going to explore…

29/06/2025

Physical Therapy Office Locations: Ocean City Therapy Office 360 West Ave, Floor 1, Ocean City, NJ 08226 Mechanicsville Therapy Office 9044 Mann Drive,…

26/06/2025

How to manage body dysmorphia this summer...

Body Avoidance ( Body Dysmorphia Therapy in Philadelphia) Summer is in full swing now, so the temperatures are rising! However, sometimes people fall into…

23/06/2025

Exercise, diet, touch, and meditation are all good for the heart ❤️

Your heart isn’t just a pump. It’s a living, responsive organ that reflects how you move, eat, sleep, connect, and care for yourself.