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Why making a ‘reverse bucket list’ can help you feel happier right away, according to a psychiatrist

Nbcwashington · · 528 words · By Aryelle Siclait; TODAY
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What to know about Why making a ‘reverse bucket list’ can help you feel happier right away, according to a psychiatrist

When it comes to being happier, we often look to the future — what we can change about our lives, our relationships and our upcoming contributions.

Claims checked 5
Techniques found 0
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Coverage spectrum

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7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

When it comes to being happier, we often look to the future — what we can change about our lives, our relationships and our upcoming contributions.

Why it matters

But it’s worth reflecting on the moments that have already passed, too, Dr.

Common ground

Sue Varma, psychiatrist and author of “Practical Optimism,” said on TODAY.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/reverse-bucket-list-help-feel-happier/…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 5 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 4
verified Verified By Reference 1
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Claim 1: “Practicing gratitude, in particular, has been shown to release mood-boosting neurochemicals, like dopamine and serotonin”
CORROBORATED
Three independent web sources explicitly state that practicing gratitude triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain.
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web search NEUTRAL — Scientists have demonstrated that the deliberate practice of gratitude triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin and positively impacts the human brain and physiology. You can watch this short vi…
https://www.be-cause.com/insights-blog/gratitude-is-an-attit…
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web search NEUTRAL — Gratitude triggers the release of dopamine and causes that surge of pleasure that we all desire. Serotonin is also released with feelings of gratitude. This neurotransmitter is a mood enhancer that is…
https://www.earthresonance.com/en/blogs/news/gratitude-and-y…
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web search NEUTRAL — Similar to giving, gratitude triggers the brain to release neurotransmitters and hormones associated with happiness, including dopamine and serotonin. Low levels of these hormones can cause depression…
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/your-brai…
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Claim 2: “One study found that feeling grateful can reduce levels of anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, and reduce inflammation, stress and loneliness.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that gratitude practices are linked to reduced anxiety, depression, stress (via cortisol reduction), and improved sleep quality.
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web search NEUTRAL — Improve Sleep Quality: Gratitude is linked to better sleep, as going to bed with a positive mindset promotes relaxation. Lower Stress Levels: Engaging in gratitude practices can lead to a decrease in …
https://asteroidhealth.com/blog/the-importance-of-gratitude-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Practicing gratitude boosts well-being and reduces depression, anxiety, and stress while strengthening relationships.Quality of Life Research (2017): gratitude subscales improve SF-36 scores by 15%.
https://gitnux.org/gratitude-statistics/
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web search NEUTRAL — Gratitude’s Role in Reducing Stress. Gratitude shifts attention from negative thoughts to positive experiences. This mental shift can lower stress levels by: Reducing the production of stress hormones…
https://www.dualmindspsychiatry.com/post/the-impact-of-grati…
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Claim 3: “Research has linked having a positive attitude to numerous health benefits, from extended lifespan to better heart function and reduced risk of depression, according to Mayo Clinic.”
CORROBORATED
Evidence from Bonner General Health explicitly attributes to Mayo Clinic the finding that positive thinking is linked to increased lifespan and lower rates of depression. This is supported by general medical consensus in the provided web results.
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web search NEUTRAL — Mayo Clinic says that researchers have found benefits that include increased life span, lower rates of depression, distress and pain, a greater resistance to illness, and reduced risk of death from ca…
https://bonnergeneral.org/tap-into-the-power-of-positive-thi…
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web search NEUTRAL — see Publication Bias: A Brief Review for Clinicians.
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)…
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web search NEUTRAL — Mayo Clinic is the No. 1 hospital in the world according to Newsweek. Learn more about our top-ranked specialties. Why choose Mayo Clinic. World-class care for global patients.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/
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Claim 4: “Dr. Sue Varma, psychiatrist and author of “Practical Optimism,” said on TODAY”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources confirm Dr. Sue Varma is a psychiatrist and the author of 'Practical Optimism'. A cross-reference from NBC Washington specifically confirms she spoke on TODAY.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of living centenarians (living people who have attained the age of at least 100 years) who are recognized for reasons other than their longevity. For more specific lists of peo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_living_centenarians
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of several significant scientific events that occurred or were scheduled to occur in 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_in_science
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web search NEUTRAL — BOOK. practical optimism: Sue Varma, MD.Dr. Varma made a fascinating discovery through her extensive work with patients and a blend of philosophy, personal experiences, and the latest research in psyc…
https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/book/
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 5: “Laurie Santos, psychology professor at Yale University, previously told TODAY.com”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and the official Yale University Department of Psychology website both confirm that Laurie Santos is a professor of psychology at Yale University.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Society for Philosophy and Psychology (SPP) is a professional organization in North America that promotes discussion and research at the intersection of philosophy, psychology and cognitive scienc…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Philosophy_and_Psy…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Laurie Renee Santos (born 1975) is an American cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at Yale University. She is the director of Yale's Comparative Cognition Laboratory, Director of Yale's Ca…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_R._Santos
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Silliman College is a residential college at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The college is named for Benjamin Silliman, the first science professor at Yale. It opened in September 1940 as …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silliman_College
+ 3 more evidence sources
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.