As the air cools and Thanksgiving approaches, conversations about gratitude begin to fill the halls of Brecksviile-Broadview Heights High school. But beyond the holiday buzzwords and family dinners, the act of being thankful has a much deeper meaning. According to science, it’s one of the simplest ways to boost happiness, strengthen relationships, and even improve your health.
Psychologists have long studied how gratitude shapes the human brain. Researchers at PositivePsychology.com explain that gratitude triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, the “feel-good” chemicals responsible for mood regulation and stress relief. Over time, practicing gratitude rewires the brain to focus more on positives than negatives. This can make a huge difference for high school students juggling school, work, and extracurriculars.
Jaci Owens, one of BBHHS’s counselors, believes gratitude isn’t just a nice thought. It’s a skill that can be developed. “Making an effort to have an attitude of gratitude not only positively impacts those around you, but also has a positive impact on your physical and mental health,” she says. “When you make gratitude a habit, you naturally become more resilient and create an overall more fulfilling life.”
Owens encourages students to make thankfulness part of their daily routine. “Keep a gratitude journal where you write down one thing you’re thankful for every day,” she suggests. “Or start a gratitude jar. Each note you put in becomes a reminder of all the good things in your life.”
She also emphasizes that gratitude can reduce stress, especially during the busy fall semester. “Being grateful for things, events, and people in your life boosts your mood, improves your sleep, and lowers stress levels,” Owens says. “It’s about shifting focus from what’s missing to what’s meaningful.”
Freshman Niko Quinones says gratitude makes his life feel lighter. “Honestly, being grateful just makes you feel better overall. You’re less stressed and a lot happier,” he says. His classmate Mitchell Jacak agrees. “If you keep practicing it, it kind of becomes part of your routine,” he says. “You stop needing something big to happen to feel good, you just notice the little things more.”
For sophomore Matt Janieszewski, gratitude shows up through hard work and passion. “I’m really grateful for wrestling,” he says. “It’s given me a chance to better myself and just grow as a person.”
Meanwhile, senior Kyle Brown says his gratitude goes to teachers at the high school. “I’m really grateful for Mr. Pichette,” he says. “He’s a great guy, super inspirational, and he’s up at 4 a.m. every day putting in the work. He’s also just a great teacher.”
Sophomore Nina Babic finds her gratitude in family. “Definitely my mom. She’s always been there for me and helps me with everything,” she says. And for Lucy Keko, gratitude is shown through presence. “I usually just spend time with people,” she says. “That’s how I show I care.”
Practicing gratitude doesn’t always mean writing in a journal or giving speeches. It can be as simple as appreciating the ride to school. Quinones and Jacak both mentioned their sisters driving them to school as moments that make them thankful. “It’s one of those small things you don’t always notice,” Jacak said. “But I realized how much I appreciate it.”
These little moments matter. Studies from the University of Minnesota’s Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing program show that acknowledging even small blessings, like a good conversation, a sunny morning, or a kind gesture, can lead to higher optimism and emotional balance over time.
Owens agrees. “It’s easy to get caught up in stress,” she says. “But taking even 30 seconds to pause and notice what’s good in your life can shift your entire perspective.” She recommends simple exercises like mindfulness or deep breathing to help students refocus during overwhelming times. “Meditation and mindfulness are great tools,” Owens explains. “They help you separate yourself from negativity so you can refocus on what’s going right.”
While gratitude may start as a personal mindset, it also has ripple effects on the people around us. When students practice thankfulness, it often spreads throughout classrooms, friendships, and even the community. “Gratitude changes the atmosphere,” says Owens. “When you make others feel seen and appreciated, it builds connection and trust. Those things matter in a school environment.”
Senior Lucy Keko agrees. “It’s important to practice gratitude because it reminds you to appreciate what you have and show thankfulness in your life,” she says. “Even when you’re stressed, you realize you have more than you think.”
Sophomore Nina Babic adds, “Not everyone has what you have, so you should be grateful for everything you do have.”
Although Thanksgiving may be the season most associated with gratitude, students and staff alike believe it shouldn’t end there. “When you make it a daily habit,” Owens says, “you start noticing that your stress doesn’t hit as hard, and your relationships feel stronger.”
Practicing gratitude is free, simple, and can start anywhere, whether it’s saying thank you to a teacher, taking a mindful walk after school, or texting a friend to tell them they matter. At the end of the day, gratitude isn’t about ignoring challenges. It’s about recognizing what’s good, even in the middle of them.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
