Disclaimer: A Gratitude Practice Is Not for Everyone
That may sound like an odd thing to say. Most people assume gratitude is, at best, helpful and, at worst, harmless. But years ago, during a period of depression, I had a life full of things to be thankful for and couldn’t feel any of it. Not being able to feel grateful made me feel ungrateful, which only made things harder.
The clinical term for this is anhedonia, a core symptom of major depressive disorder that’s linked to disruptions in the brain’s reward and motivation pathways. What I learned is that you can’t simply think your way out of it. That level of depression calls for deeper support than a gratitude practice can offer.
If that sounds like where you are right now, please reach out to a mental health professional first. The workshop will still be here.
How Gratitude Can Help
For the many other states I’ve been in since (thankfully, that chapter is long behind me), gratitude has been one of the most helpful tools I have. Here’s how it can help:
Stress
Stress hijacks our attention. We fixate on the deadline or the mistake and forget to feel the sun on our faces or enjoy a really good piece of chocolate. Gratitude can lower stress and remind us what matters most.
Sadness and Grief
These emotions are hard, but they can coexist with gratitude. We can feel sad and grateful at the same time. They aren’t mutually exclusive.
Anger
Gratitude is hard to reach when we’re angry, but when we can, it can transform the feeling. Anger often signals that something we care about is under threat, which means there’s something worth being grateful for.
Boredom
Gratitude is the opposite of boredom. It makes ordinary things feel fresh and new again.
Happiness
They say happy people are grateful, but the reverse may be truer: grateful people are happy.
An Invitation to Practice
Whatever you’re going through right now, I believe gratitude can add depth, meaning, and joy to your life. If you’re ready to explore it, I’d love to have you join me for my upcoming workshop.
The Gratitude Practice: Changing the Way You See the World
November 1, 2026 | 3–4:30 p.m. | Three Birds Yoga, South Orange Led by Christina Helms | $45
Explore gratitude through journaling, guided meditation, and a look at the science behind the practice. You’ll receive your own gratitude journal and begin a month-long practice to continue at home.
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