This weekend, many of us will enjoy turkey, pie, and quality time with loved ones. As the holiday approaches, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on what we are grateful for, and to practice it throughout the year. Today, let’s discuss the benefits of gratitude and share some practical tips to incorporate it consistently into your life.
Benefits of Gratitude
Aside from helping boost our mood, practicing gratitude has several benefits. According to Harvard Health these can include:
- Building strong and healthy relationships
- Improved sleep
- Lower depression risks
- Other health benefits
Let’s dive into some practical ways you can practice gratitude this Thanksgiving and in the days that follow:
Keep a Gratitude Journal
If you’ve followed us for a while, you know how much we see the value in journaling. Carve out some quality time to write down 3–5 things you’re grateful for either daily or weekly. Try to be as specific as possible and reflect on people or things that make a difference in your life.
Share With Others
Pass along good vibes to others by expressing your appreciation to others. If someone in your life does something that improves your day, let them know. Sharing these feelings can positively benefit you both. Whether a text, phone call or written note, these are thoughtful ways to let someone know that they have had a positive impact on your life.
Start a Gratitude Jar
Keeping a gratitude jar is a great way to record daily moments that bring a smile to your face. Keep a jar and slips of paper somewhere convenient in your home. At the end of the day, or as you think of something you’re grateful for, jot it down and drop it in. You can then open and read them at the end of the week, month, or when you need a little reminder.
Start and End Your Day with Gratitude
An excellent way to start and end your day is with appreciation. Before you get out of bed and start your day, and before you go to sleep, reflect on 2-3 things you are grateful for or 2-3 things that went well during the day. Being thankful doesn’t always need to be about the ‘big’ things in life; the smallest acts throughout your day can often have the most significant impact.
Speak Kindly to Yourself
Your inner dialogue plays a key role in how you feel. Therefore, ensure you are speaking kindly to yourself and remembering to acknowledge the things in your life that bring you joy. Rather than using your energy focusing on the negative, reframe your thinking. It’s also important to choose your internal language wisely.
Start a Thanksgiving Tradition
At the dinner table, have each person share one meaningful thing they’re grateful for this year. Have everyone write down what they are thankful for and place it in a jar. This can be saved until next Thanksgiving, where you can share a new memory and read out the ones from the previous year.
We understand that Thanksgiving can be a challenging time for some individuals, but we hope that, no matter how you celebrate this weekend, you can find a few moments and glimmers of joy that you are grateful for.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving from the Candor team! We truly appreciate you!
