Gratitude is Good for Your Health
As Thanksgiving rings near, we are reminded to count our blessings. This can be difficult to do with the hustle and bustle of the holidays (so many meals to prepare, decorations to display, gifts to buy!). As we make our way through the season, it is important to take time to step back and reflect on all we have to be thankful for.
Having so many meals to prepare means we are able to feed our family. All the decorations to display means we have a place that provides us shelter and safety. Having gifts to buy means we have people in our lives to love and celebrate. Food, shelter, and loved ones…it does not get much better than that.
We invite you to take this feeling of gratitude and embrace it well beyond the season. Research has shown that individuals who are more grateful in their day-to-day are happier, sleep better, work harder, experience fewer health problems, and communicate more in their relationships.
Here are some ways you can foster gratitude:
- Keep a gratitude journal. Set aside time every day to write down 3 to 5 things that you are grateful for. These can be anything you found pleasure in, something someone did for you, something you did for yourself/someone else, etc. Acknowledging these actions and feelings daily can help you shift your attitude to one of acceptance and gratitude.
- Change your self-talk. So often we find ourselves grumbling under our breath and fixating on the undesirable. When we focus on these negative thoughts, we are more likely to feel negative. Changing how you talk to yourself can make a positive impact on your mood.
- Use visual reminders. Write what you are thankful for on your bathroom mirror. Hang a gratitude reminder on the fridge. Place sticky notes with words of gratitude strategically around your workspace. This will prompt you to be more attentive to affirmative experiences.
- Meditate. Take time to experience the present moment without judgment.
If you or a loved one needs help during the holiday season, please know that help is available. Our Behavioral Health Team is here for you. We provide a wide range of services including psychiatry and counseling.
