Thanks for being here today! I’m excited about today’s topic - gratitude and the impact it can have on anxiety.

We are going to discuss how gratitude can physically and mentally impact our bodies and how it helps us feel less anxious in our daily lives.

We will also talk about how an attitude of gratitude can impact others in a positive way.

Elder Dieter H. Uchtdorf “A Higher Joy,” April 2024, General Conference.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/35uchtdorf?lang=eng

• "Expressing gratitude can positively change your brain. It boosts dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters in the brain that improve your mood immediately, giving you those positive feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being." End Quote

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• Kristin Francis, MD, a psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2021/11/practicing-gratitude-better-health-and-well-being#:~:text=%22Expressing%20gratitude%20can%20positively%20change%20your%20brain%2C%22%20says,those%20positive%20feelings%20of%20pleasure%2C%20happiness%2C%20and%20well-being.%22

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/feel-good-hormones-how-they-affect-your-mind-mood-and-body

Elder David A. Bednar, “Pray Always,” October 2008, General Conference.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/10/pray-always?lang=eng

President Russel M. Nelson, The Healing Power of Gratitude, November 20, 2020

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/inspirational-messages/2020-11-1101-president-russell-m-nelson-on-the-healing-power-of-gratitude-subtitled-1080p?lang=eng

Today we are talking about envy.

We will discuss how envy is linked to anxiety and practical steps to reduce both.

“Atlas of the Heart,” Brené Brown, pg. 25-27

“There are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt--and certainly not to feel envious--when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those. Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is--downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment!”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2012-08-9631-envy?lang=eng

“The way to get out of the competition trap is to be authentic.” (“The Almanack of Naval Ravikant,” Naval Ravikant, pg 78)

Today I am going to talk about how changing a paradigm can have a huge impact on reducing anxiety.

We will talk about what a paradigm is and how there is a specific paradigm that causes so many people misery, one that when you understand it, you can begin to change this paradigm and mental health will improve.

“Paradigms are a multitude of habits passed down from generation to generation, and they manifest themselves in many ways. Paradigms are the way you view yourself, the world, and opportunity. They are how you approach change and challenges. Once you realize that ALL of your behavior is controlled by paradigms, the way you look at the entire world will change.”

This is Sandy Gallagher's definition from “Change Your Paradigm, Change Your life,” by Bob Proctor, pg. Viii

"Return From Tomorrow," by George Richie

2 Nephi 2:26-27

“We cannot blame circumstances or others for a decision to act contrary to God’s commandments.”

(“Be One With Christ,” Quinton L. Cook, General Conference, April 2024).

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/27cook?lang=eng

“The Joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”

“Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Russel M. Nelson, General Conference, October 2016).

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng

“Choose to Trust the Lord,”Michalyn Steele, June 25, 2019, BYU Speeches).

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/michalyn-steele/choose-to-trust-the-lord/