“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel grateful and unhappy at the same time.”

Did you know that expressing gratitude can not only improve your mental and emotional well-being but also boost your physical health? In a world that often focuses on what’s lacking, it’s important to take a moment to appreciate the abundance in our lives. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to uplift your spirit and enhance your overall well-being. 

Dive into the incredible benefits of practicing gratitude, & learn easy ways to incorporate giving thanks into your lifestyle: 

Gratitude can have a significant impact on our mindset, our physical bodies and ultimately our overall well being.

Recalling just three things a day you are grateful for can rework the neural pathways in the brain making you feel happier, more content and grateful over time. These changes in the brain structure (especially the nervous system) can result in benefits including better sleep (up to 25% increase in quality!), increased energy levels, reduced symptoms of physical pain, lower levels of inflammation, and lower blood pressure. Practicing gratitude can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce stress.

Research shows that gratitude makes us more resilient, meaning we are less likely to experience burnout, we better strengthen and grow from trauma, we adapt better to change, and we perform better on the job. 

Being grateful also make us more positive and likeable, and we are perceived as more trustworthy. We are also more likely to volunteer and offer help to others. These qualities make it easier to make connections and retain significant relationships and friendships, and in turn we feel a greater sense of community, support, and satisfaction. 

Experience the many health benefits being grateful offers by reflecting on all the things that you are grateful for in your everyday life. 

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“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.”
– Kristin Armstrong

Keeping a Gratitude Journal – Jot down at least 3 things you are grateful for each day. You might use an app or a prompt journal, or just a simple notebook. You may even use images glued in a sketchbook with descriptions to create a gratitude collage. Do what works for you.

Writing down what we are thankful for helps us to recall, recognize and acknowledge all the good that we have in this life. We start to see how full and rewarding life is, and we focus more on the positive and on the blessings.

Practicing Mindfulness – Sit. Be still. Breathe deeply. Look, think, reflect. 

Rather than rushing through the moment or begrudgingly enduring it, take in your surroundings and all you are experiencing and live it. 

Notice all the sights, sounds, scents and feelings around you – the cool air and soft breezes, the vibrantly colored leaves, the crackle of the fireplace, the aroma of cider and baked goods . . . And pause to truly encounter it all.

Being mindful allows us to generate gratitude just by noticing and acknowledging all the things that surround us and truly being immersed in the present moment.

Savoring Your Experiences – Taking mindfulness further, the act of savoring our experiences means that we attempt to fully feel, enjoy, and extend our positive experiences. 

Rather than just being mindfully aware and appreciative of the crackling fireplace, for example, we step a little closer to experience more of it’s warmth, enjoy the dancing of the flames, lingering a little longer than we normally would. We fully immerse ourselves into the occasion. 

The savoring of experiences allows us to connect positive moments with positive emotions and feelings. Research shows that the act of savoring and the experience of gratitude are two things that improve the quality of our minds and thus our overall health.

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
– G.K. Chesterton

Saying a Prayer – Praying is another way of practicing mindfulness, and it is also a way to express gratitude and hope no matter the situation or circumstances. When our prayers are filled with gratitude for God’s goodness and all that we have, we spiritualize our thoughts and find a release from anxiety. Our ability to endure and overcome the problems we face in our lives increases. We find ourselves lifted up through prayer and we are given a more positive perspective.

Expressing Appreciation – Write a Thank You Note. Give a Gift. Engage in a Hug. Return a Favor. Do Something Meaningful.

Expressing appreciation to others not only makes them feel good, it reminds us that we are cared for, considered, loved, and connected. It also shows that you’re not just taking things for granted, but rather acknowledging efforts, cherishing gifts, and valuing all that you have.

Giving Back – When we give back, we are reminded that all we have comes from a place of abundance. We realize how fortunate we are, and we want others to experience some of the blessings we have received. Are place of having is doubled, because what we carry is more than just mere possessions. We find purpose and joy in the overflow.

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Feeling grateful, thankful and blessed isn’t about having or not having, but rather about a change in perspective. It’s about receiving all we have as a gift, and finding meaning in it. It’s about holding onto the good and finding peace and joy.

May all these things and more find you, this holiday season & always.

Show your body, and yourself, some gratitude with a massage.