How Gratitude Changes Your Brain When You’re Under Pressure

When life feels heavy and pressure is high, your brain doesn’t respond by becoming calm or rational—it narrows its focus, scans for problems, and stays on high alert. That’s not a personal failing. It’s biology.

In this episode of Burnout-Free Me, Dr. Amy Grimm breaks down what neuroscience actually says about gratitude—and why it works very differently than most people think. This is not about pretending everything is fine or forcing positivity when you’re exhausted. It’s about how gratitude, when practiced in small, grounded ways, changes how your brain processes stress, recovers from pressure, and carries mental load over time.

You’ll learn

• how gratitude affects attention, memory, and nervous system regulation,
• why it can help pressure feel less intense and less sticky,
• and how it supports faster recovery after stressful moments.

Amy shares practical, science-backed prompts you can use even on your busiest, most overwhelming days—no journaling marathons required.

If you’re a high-achiever who feels constantly “on,” mentally compressed, or unable to fully relax even when nothing is actively wrong, this episode will help you understand what’s happening in your brain—and give you tools to work with it instead of fighting it.

✨ If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with someone who helps you feel a little steadier under pressure.

Burnout & Wellbeing Coaching With Amy:

✨ Ready to break free from exhaustion and stop running on empty, so you can create real balance, reclaim your energy, and finally feel like yourself again? Book your free Burnout-Free Me consultation today!

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Meet Amy:

Dr. Amy Grimm is a success and well-being coach, speaker, and veterinarian who helps high-performing professionals lead with clarity, energy, and purpose without sacrificing their well-being.

A former medical director who experienced burnout firsthand, Amy now coaches leaders across industries to recognize the hidden costs of hustle culture and create sustainable success through strategic prioritization and people-first leadership.

She also hosts the Burnout-Free Me Podcast (previously Daring DVM Podcast), a free resource for high-achievers and career professionals who want to live with less stress and create a life of balance, fulfillment, and joy.

Outside of work, Amy and her partner enjoy travel and all things outdoors. You’ll most likely find them on top of a mountain, in the middle of a desert, somewhere underwater, or 100 miles into a ride on their tandem mountain bicycle.