Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to remind you all that we all have much to be grateful for and encourage you all to practice gratitude.

Here are five things I’m grateful for:

1. My family

2. My health

3. A soccer team that I love to coach

4. A community that I love to inspire

5. My dad that got me into soccer coaching

Here’s five scientific reasons why it’s important to practice gratitude:

1. Gratitude rewires your brain toward positivity.

Neuroscientists at UCLA found that regularly naming things you’re grateful for activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain linked to emotional regulation and reward. Over time, this strengthens neural pathways that make optimism your default rather than negativity.

Why it matters:
You literally train your brain to scan for what’s working rather than what’s wrong—boosting resilience, hope and confidence.

2. It lowers stress and reduces cortisol.

Several studies—including one from the University of California, Davis—show that people who practice gratitude daily have 23% lower cortisol levels.

Why it matters:
Lower cortisol = better sleep, improved focus, more energy and less irritability.
This is a performance enhancer disguised as a wellness habit.

3. It improves physical and mental health.

Research from the American Psychological Association shows gratitude is linked to:

• stronger immune function
• better heart health
• fewer aches and pains
• reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety

Why it matters:
Gratitude isn’t soft—it’s a biological upgrade.
Healthier people perform better, think clearer and recover faster.

4. It strengthens relationships and social connection.

A landmark study from the University of North Carolina found that expressing gratitude releases oxytocin, often called the "bonding hormone."

Why it matters:
Oxytocin builds trust, deepens relationships and increases cooperation.
Teams that feel appreciated communicate better, fight less and perform more consistently.

5. It increases long-term happiness and life satisfaction.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that writing one gratitude letter a week boosts happiness for up to a month. Practicing gratitude daily has been shown to increase overall life satisfaction by 10% or more, similar to the impact of doubling your income.

Why it matters:
Gratitude is one of the few habits that compounds, creating lasting, sustainable happiness.

What are you grateful for?