The Gratitude Cure: A Bengaluru Doctor’s Prescription for Better Health and Happiness

The city’s familiar cacophony fades into the background as I sit in my clinic in the heart of Bengaluru. For over 25 years, these four walls have been my sanctuary, where life’s most profound truths reveal themselves in whispers and tears, in moments of triumph and despair. I’m Dr. Brahmanand Nayak, and this is my story – or rather, the story of countless patients who’ve taught me more about healing than any textbook ever could.

It was a typical Tuesday morning when Ankitha walked in. At just 28, she was a successful startup founder and embodied the spirit of our tech hub. Yet, as she sank into the chair across from me, the world’s weight seemed to rest on her shoulders.

“Doctor, I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. My heart races constantly,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m living the dream, but why do I feel like drowning?”

Ankitha’s story was familiar. It echoed a truth I’ve encountered repeatedly in my years of practice: No one escapes suffering. Not the millionaire CEO battling insomnia, not the street vendor grappling with chronic pain, not even the picture-perfect family hiding storms of resentment behind closed doors.

This realization hit me like a ton of bricks early in my career. I remember feeling overwhelmed, even hopeless. How could I, armed only with my stethoscope and prescription pad, possibly address the depths of human suffering I encountered daily?

I discovered that the answer lay not in my medical toolkit but in a simple yet profound shift in perspective.

It was Rajesh, a 65-year-old retired professor, who first opened my eyes to this. He came to me with a laundry list of ailments – diabetes, hypertension, chronic knee pain. But what struck me most was the profound loneliness etched on his face.

“Doctor,” he said, his eyes filling with tears, “I’ve achieved everything I set out to do. I have a comfortable pension and a nice home. But what’s the point of it all if I’m alone?”

I found myself at a loss. No prescription could cure loneliness. But as we talked, something remarkable happened. Rajesh began to speak of his late wife and the joy they shared in their years together. His face softened, and the pain seemed to lift for a moment.

“You know,” he said, “I’m grateful for every moment we had. Even now, the memory of her smile gives me strength.”

That’s when it hit me. Gratitude. Could it be that simple?

I began paying closer attention to my patients, who seemed to navigate life’s challenges gracefully. There was Meera, a cancer survivor who spoke of her illness as a “wake-up call” that taught her to appreciate each day. And Arjun, a young man who lost his leg in an accident but found a new purpose in life coaching other amputees.

These patients weren’t immune to suffering. But they had found a way to accept their circumstances and, remarkably, find reasons to be grateful.

Intrigued, I dove into the research. What I found astounded me. Study after study confirmed what I was seeing in my clinic. A 2015 Journal of Psychosomatic Research paper showed that gratitude was linked to better sleep, reduced depression, and lower inflammation. Research from UC San Diego found improved heart health markers in people who practised gratitude regularly.

However, my patients provided the most compelling evidence. I saw remarkable changes as I began incorporating gratitude practices into my treatment plans.

Take Ananya, a 40-year-old executive with uncontrolled diabetes. For years, we’d struggled to get her blood sugar under control. One day, frustrated with her lack of progress, I decided to try something different.

“Ananya,” I said, “I want you to do something for me. Every night before bed, write down three things you’re grateful for. They can be big or small. Just three things.”

She looked at me sceptically but agreed to try. When she returned a month later, her blood sugar levels had improved more than in the past month. But more importantly, she seemed… lighter.

“You know, Doctor,” she said, smiling. I thought this gratitude thing was nonsense. But it’s changed how I see everything, even my diabetes. I’m grateful for the wake-up call it gave me to take care of my health.”

Inspired by these results, I began prescribing the “Gratitude Challenge” to more patients. Start and end each day by noting three things you’re grateful for. Do this consistently for a week, then two, then a month.

The results have been nothing short of miraculous. Patients report lower stress levels, improved sleep, better pain management, and, yes, even better control of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

But the most profound changes I’ve witnessed have been in my patients’ overall outlook on life. People who once felt trapped by their circumstances began to see possibilities. Relationships improved as partners became more appreciative of each other. Work became more fulfilling as people focused on what they had rather than lacked.

Take the case of the Sharma family. They came to me in crisis – Mr Sharma with stress-induced hypertension, Mrs Sharma with debilitating migraines, and their teenage son with symptoms of depression. On the surface, they had it all – financial stability, good jobs, a lovely home. But beneath the veneer of success, resentment and misunderstanding had taken root.

I prescribed the Gratitude Challenge to each of them, with a twist. They were to share one thing they were grateful for about each other at dinner every night. They admitted that it felt awkward at first. But slowly, something shifted. They began to see each other through new eyes. The atmosphere in their home changed. Remarkably, their physical symptoms started to improve.

“Doctor,” Mrs. Sharma told me, her eyes shining, “you’ve given us back our family.”

These experiences have transformed not just my medical practice but also my life. Living in Bengaluru, a city of stark contrasts where ancient traditions blend with cutting-edge technology, it’s easy to get caught up in the rat race. The pressure to succeed and keep up with the rapid pace of change can be overwhelming.

But now, stuck in one of our infamous traffic jams, instead of frustration, I find myself grateful for the luxury of having a vehicle. Walking past the glitzy tech parks, I appreciate being part of India’s digital revolution and feeling deeply thankful for our rich cultural heritage.

Even the challenges of our healthcare system, which once left me feeling helpless, now fuel my passion to make a difference. I’m grateful for every patient who trusts me with their health and for every opportunity to witness the resilience of the human spirit.

This shift in perspective hasn’t made me immune to life’s hardships. I still face challenges and have days when everything seems to go wrong. But now, I have a tool—a practice—that helps me navigate the storms with more grace and resilience.

Reflecting on my journey, a deep sense of purpose washes over me. In a quarter-century of medical practice, I’ve penned over 200,000 prescriptions and shared countless healing techniques. But nothing compares to the simple act of keeping a gratitude diary. It’s a practice that stands apart, its impact rippling through time. Years after our initial encounters, patients return, journals in hand, eyes alight with newfound joy. They share tales of profound transformation, of lives recalibrated through daily acceptance and gratitude. This isn’t just a personal tool—it’s a contagious force for positive change. As these individuals spread their experiences to friends and loved ones, I witnessed the birth of a grassroots movement. It’s evidence of the power of thankfulness, a daily ritual that continues to astound me with its ability to heal and uplift long after the ink on my prescription pad has dried.

It costs nothing, has no side effects, and has benefits far beyond the individual. It can create ripples of positivity that can transform families, workplaces, and communities.

My dear reader, I extend this challenge to you. Start and end each day for the next week by noting three things you’re grateful for. They can be as simple as a warm cup of coffee or as profound as a loving relationship. Could you do this consistently and watch what happens?

You might only see dramatic changes over time. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, you’ll notice a shift. The constant background noise of stress may start to quiet. You might find more moments of joy in your day. Your resilience in the face of challenges may grow.

And who knows? You might even find your physical health improving.

This simple practice can be truly transformative in a chaotic and divided world. It’s not about ignoring problems or putting on a fake smile. It’s about approaching life’s challenges with a more balanced, resilient mindset.

As a doctor, I’ve seen the power of this practice to heal not just individuals but also mend relationships, revitalize workplaces, and bring hope to those who felt all was lost. It’s a prescription for a better life, a better community, and perhaps a better world.

Will you take up the challenge?

(All names in this article have been altered to protect the individual’s privacy. The experiences described are real, but the identities have been disguised.)