Attitude of Gratitude: The Science Behind Giving Thanks

💡 Tune into our panel, Family Matters: Integrating Family Wellness Into Employee Benefits, to learn how practicing gratitude can improve the wellbeing of your entire family and your work performance. 

As Thanksgiving approaches, it's common to reflect on what we're grateful for in our personal lives. However, it's equally important to cultivate gratitude in the workplace, as it can have a powerful impact on building a healthy and engaged work environment.

Even in times of turmoil and uncertainty, practicing gratitude can kickstart success for any organization. In fact, organizations with dedicated recognition programs see 31% lower turnover than those without such programs, demonstrating the value of gratitude in boosting retention.

From its positive effects on workplace productivity to its role in shaping team collaboration and company culture, the science behind gratitude and appreciation shows powerful results that benefit both individual performance and organizational success. Let’s take a closer look at how gratitude affects our brain chemistry and jumpstarts measurable benefits for employee recognition programs.

Research shows that expressing gratitude has a profound impact on our brain. When we say "thanks," it activates the reward centers in our brain, leading to improved workplace relationships and enhanced performance.

The Neurochemistry of Gratitude

Showing and receiving gratitude triggers the release of two significant neurotransmitters in the brain: dopamine and serotonin. These "feel-good" chemicals create an immediate positive response and reinforce the behaviors that earned the recognition.

The power of appreciation is so strong, in fact, that practicing gratitude before bed has been shown to promote better sleep by reducing intrusive thoughts and worries. Well-rested employees are also more focused, productive, and emotionally regulated.

Mood and Motivation

Neurochemicals released in the brain directly affect mood and motivation.

Even more powerful, a manager or leader's genuine appreciation triggers strong, positive emotional responses in the recipient's brain. This neurological reaction explains why consistent recognition programs help employees participate more and perform better at work.

In hybrid and remote work environments especially, where employees may feel disconnected, gratitude can foster a sense of belonging. Simple gestures of appreciation can help employees feel seen and valued, reducing the sense of isolation that often accompanies remote work.

Long-Term Effects on Mental Health

Gratitude and recognition have a lasting impact on the brain's neural networks. Research indicates that regularly expressing appreciation reduces stress hormones such as cortisol and increases the production of feel-good chemicals, improving mental wellbeing and aiding in the development of resilience.

What’s more, the brain's remarkable plasticity allows gratitude practices to actually reshape neural pathways. In other words, both giving and receiving appreciation become more natural as time passes. This neurological adaptation explains why five-year-old employee recognition programs develop stronger, more positive workplace cultures that thrive through continued praise and appreciation.

To truly cultivate a culture of gratitude, leaders must set the tone. When people at the top openly express their gratitude, they can demonstrate its value and encourage others to follow suit. 

Research shows that organizations with leaders who actively participate in recognition programs achieve up to 87% higher engagement during the first month after implementation. Public expressions of gratitude, such as recognizing team achievements in meetings or company-wide messages, make employees feel valued and motivated. On the other hand, private moments of gratitude—like personalized, one-on-one feedback—help build trust and rapport. 

Together, these approaches foster team cohesion, boost morale, and encourage employees to bring their best selves to work. Let’s dig further into these approaches by looking at a few specific examples employers can use to foster gratitude in the workplace.

Here are 4 ways you can make gratitude a staple of your organization’s day-to-day work culture:

1. Thanksgiving Potluck: Starting off with a seasonal classic, organizing a virtual Thanksgiving party or in-person potluck gives employees a space to reflect on what they’re grateful for, while enjoying a meal and socializing.
2. Wellness Challenge Idea—Gratitude Journal: Busy employees may not have time to write multi-page gratitude journals, but your wellness platform can make this self-care task simple and easy. All employees have to do is write three small things they’re grateful for—every day, every week, or every month. This small practice can make a big difference in mindset and wellbeing.
3. Public Gratitude Board: Creating a physical or digital gratitude board allows employees to thank one another for support, collaboration, and going above and beyond. You can even go one step further and recognize employees who exemplify core values by aligning shoutouts with specific values like integrity, collaboration, or innovation. Empowering leaders to actively participate can reinforce the sentiment, spreading appreciation across all levels of the workplace.
4. Let Birthdays Be Your Guide: Anniversaries and birthdays are perfect occasions to flood employees with gratitude messages, encouraging team members to recognize their contributions and impact.

As you work to cultivate gratitude in your organization, WellRight can support your efforts, providing the tools you need to create a culture where employees feel valued and motivated.

Ready to transform your workplace through the power of gratitude? Request a demo to learn more about our wellness solutions and start fostering a culture of gratitude today.