The Human Need to Matter & The Enduring Appeal of Cats
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If you like something you should know, you're probably a curious person who enjoys learning about the world. And if you're looking for more places to learn, you should know about a podcast from TED called How to Be a Better Human. The host, Chris Duffy, was recently a guest here talking about why he loves laughter and how you can find more of it in your everyday life. On How to Be a Better Human, Chris interviews scientists, experts, and TED speakers about fascinating practical topics from... How your dog experiences the world, to how to stop doom-scrolling, to how to find a deeper sense of belonging. You can find How to Be a Better Human wherever you listen to podcasts. Today on Something You Should Know, how the simple act of expressing gratitude can actually change your brain.
Then, the human need to matter, to be significant. We all have it, and it's powerful.
After the need for food and shelter, it is the need to matter that shapes our behavior. People will go to desperate measures to prove they matter, even in a negative way.
Also, home remedies that really work when you have a cold. And cats. They're aloof, mysterious, yet they're the second most popular pet there is.
I think that cats fall into this category of what we think of as charismatic species. And this is a term that comes out of wildlife biology for animals, and in some cases plants, that seem to really attract human attention.
All this today on Something You Should Know.
Something you should know. Fascinating intel. The world's top experts. And practical advice you can use in your life.
Today, Something You Should Know with Mike Carruthers. So I'm sure you've heard the advice to be thankful for what you have. Have gratitude. Well, what is that supposed to do for you exactly? Well, I'm about to tell you as we begin this episode of Something You Should Know. Studies have consistently shown that intentional gratitude practices, like keeping a gratitude journal or writing gratitude letters or just reflecting on what you're thankful for, are linked with improved well-being, reduced stress and stronger emotional health. Researchers have even started looking at what's happening in the brain when people practice gratitude. Brain scanning studies show that gratitude exercises activate regions in the brain involved in reward, emotional regulation, and social connection.
And the neural sensitivity related to gratitude can persist weeks or even months after a short gratitude intervention. In other words, gratitude doesn't just feel good in the moment. It appears to train your brain to notice positive experiences more readily and respond with less stress and more positive emotion down the road. Thinking of your brain as having a kind of gratitude muscle that you can exercise through simple activities like journaling or letter writing isn't just metaphorical. There's growing evidence that it reflects real changes in your brain. And that is something you should know. There's a basic human need we almost never talk about, but it quietly drives a lot of what we do. It is the need to matter, to feel seen, to know what you do and who you are actually counts.
Most of us will go to surprising lengths to feel that sense of significance. We chase it at work, at home, online, in relationships. And when we don't get it, when we feel invisible or disposable, it doesn't just feel bad, it can lead to real problems, from burnout and anxiety to risky behavior and bad decisions. So why is the need to matter so powerful? What happens when it's missing? And how do you build a sense of mattering that is not dependent on constant approval or achievement?
How does expressing gratitude affect our brain?
That's what we're going to explore with Jennifer Brahini Wallace. She's an award-winning journalist and author of the book, Mattering, The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose. Hi, Jennifer. Welcome. Glad to have you on Something You Should Know.
Thanks so much for having me.
So I get the concept. I know what it means to want to matter. But you've studied this pretty deeply.
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