Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude
By : Dr . Jennifer L . Yocum , Licensed Acupuncturist
We have arrived in November , a time of the year where we as Americans remember to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives . While the original Thanksgiving is not the simplistic , peaceful version most of us were taught as children , the spirit of the holiday as a time of giving and practicing gratitude still is worth honoring .
Practicing gratitude every day , not just on Thanksgiving , can make a significant impact on our health . According to an article in Psychology Today ( 2015 ) that reviewed the scientific benefits of gratitude , it has been shown that being grateful can help you make friends , experience less aches and pains , exercise more often , get regular health check-ups , increase feelings of happiness , reduce depression , enhance empathy , sleep better , have better self-esteem , and increase your mental strength .
So how does one practice gratitude ? Here are a few of my favorite ways to do so :
1 ) Write out 3-5 things each morning that you are grateful for . They can be big or small . In fact , sometimes writing out the small things , like your partner bringing you a cup of coffee , or your child drawing you a picture , can help you to recognize all of the amazing things there are to be grateful for in this world .
2 ) Say grace or a blessing before eating your meals . Taking a moment to be thankful for the food in front of you , and to acknowledge that not everyone has this gift of plentiful food can be a profound practice . It does not have to be routed in religious practices ; a simple “ thank you ” can even suffice . It has also been shown that people who say a grace or blessing before eating will eat more slowly and digest their food better , so there is a health benefit too !
3 ) Take in acknowledgement when it is offered to you . If someone says “ thank you ” or compliments you on something , truly allow yourself to accept that gift , and say “ thank you ” or “ you ’ re welcome ” in return , as applicable . I read an article years ago that spoke to how we as a society have gotten away from saying “ you ’ re welcome ” in response to “ thank you ,” and how that can make a difference in the well-being of both people to actually say “ you ’ re welcome .” When it comes to compliments , so many of us are quick to brush them off , stating that we got a dress from the clearance rack or we “ just ” followed a recipe online that someone else created . Stop yourself from making those extra qualifying comments , and instead simply reply , “ thank you .” Teach yourself that it is ok to accept the compliment , no matter what . When you brush off compliments , you are insulting the person who gave it to you , insinuating that their opinion is incorrect . So take it in , and feel gratitude that they noticed you or your gifts .
4 ) Walk in nature and notice your surroundings . We live on an incredible planet , that is filled with beauty . Allow yourself to experience the awe of being here , now . Feel the crispness of the air , the crunching of leaves under your feet , the sound of the wind rustling through the trees , or admire the color of the sky . Too often , we get busy and do not take the time to truly appreciate and feel gratitude for this human experience and our environment . We are blessed to live in these gorgeous mountains , surrounded by stunning lakes and wildlife . Breathe it all in .
Being present in this moment , and taking time to acknowledge all of the things we are grateful for in this life can make a profound difference in your life . This Thanksgiving , and year-round , I am grateful for this amazing community we are a part of , and for all of you .
Reference : Morin , A . ( 2015 ). 7 Scientifically proven benefits of gratitude . Psychology Today . Accessed October 6 , 2021 : https :// www . psychologytoday . com / us / blog / what-mentallystrong-people-dont-do / 201504 / 7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude
34 LakeTalk November 2021