Gratitude, Serotonin, And Cake

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A near-contraction scare, a partner who banned me from the kitchen, and a table of twenty strangers-turned-friends shaped a week that rewired how I think about gratitude, control, and care. From our yoga loft with cake in hand, I unpack the hidden science beneath a warm holiday: why witnessing gratitude—not just giving or receiving it—can deliver a powerful serotonin boost, and how that insight can quietly shift your mood, your relationships, and your daily rituals.

We start with a candid Thanksgiving recap: the pressure of third-trimester limits colliding with a host’s perfectionism, the moment I finally handed over the reins, and the shock of everything running smoother when I let go. That softness sets the stage for a practice you can feel, not just think about. I share how a classic gratitude round at the table dissolved awkwardness and replaced it with presence, and what changes when you try to hold people in the fullness of their stories—coworkers, friends, even yourself—before reacting to the friction of the moment.

Then we zoom into the brain. Drawing from notes in my Yin Yoga training manual and a memorable Huberman insight, we explore serotonin as the steady-state happiness chemical that gratitude can unlock. The twist: being a witness to gratitude often delivers the biggest lift. This means you can tune your attention—not your schedule—to feel better. I use that lens to explain the tiny surprises and rituals I’m building into the new Yin training, each one designed to make care visible and easy to notice. The extra mile isn’t about spectacle; it’s about creating conditions where kindness is unmistakable.

You’ll leave with a gentle weekly assignment: walk with open eyes, witness one act of gratitude each day, name it in your body, and if you can, be the person who shows up first. For a sweet assist, yes, there’s cake—chocolate and peanut butter do nudge serotonin—but the real dessert is the chemistry of kindness. If this resonates, tap follow, share it with someone who could use a lift, and leave a quick review to help more people find the show.