Grow a gratitude habit to outshine the hedonic treadmill

You’ve heard the phrase "count your blessings," but most days it feels like counting chores. Imagine slipping under the covers with your mind buzzing about tomorrow’s deadlines, your inbox full, and last night’s argument still simmering. Now picture a different scene: before you close your eyes, you open a notebook and jot down five moments that spark a genuine smile—a coworker’s “good morning,” the crisp taste of apple, a text from a friend. You breathe in, feeling warmth fill your chest. Ten minutes later, your worries seem smaller. You might think, “I’m just racing thoughts,” but science says otherwise. Research shows nightly gratitude journaling deepens positive memory tags and raises life satisfaction measurably in as little as two weeks. By making gratitude a nightly ritual, you interrupt the hedonic treadmill that shrinks every win until it’s barely noticeable. The more you record and relish these moments, the more your brain rewires itself to notice good amid the everyday grind. Each morning, you wake calmer and more focused. You realize your day has more bright spots than you once thought—and before you know it, you’re settling into bed excited to capture the next five moments worth thanking.

You settle under the covers, pull out your gratitude notebook, and spend a few minutes listing five things—perhaps the warmth of your coffee at dawn, how your teammate covered for you at work, or the gentle rain on your commute. You add a short, heartfelt note on why each one mattered—"that coffee grounded me" or "I felt proud to be part of a team." Tucking your pen away, you feel tension melt as your mind absorbs each blessing. By sharing your list with a friend or reading it aloud in the morning, you relaunch these positive signals, priming your brain for more moments worth celebrating. Give it a try tonight.