It is that time of year again! Bring out the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes! Yea you guessed it. Thanksgiving is almost here! But I have one question to ask… have we forgotten what an important part of this holiday is about? Here’s a hint, it is in the name: giving thanks. The commercialization of this holiday has perhaps clouded this aspect. It is a shame because giving thanks, or being grateful, has many physical and mental benefits. Sure, some turkey with gravy is very satisfying, especially in satiating our hunger, but what about satiating our hunger for joy and positivity? What happened to the normalization of going around the table to say what we are thankful for?
At least in my large family, we take the part of reflecting on what we are grateful for very seriously. So seriously, that it is a tradition that all 50+ people, extended cousins, significant others, aunts, uncles and grandparents included, sit down for at least 3 hours, yes at least 3 hours, and go around the room and say what we are thankful for. This may come as a surprise, but really the time flies by and you feel a sense of peace, calmness, and joyfulness.
I would like to note that my family is by no means perfect, but we respect each other, and overtime I have realized that this family tradition of saying what we are thankful for is almost unheard of now. The important aspect of this is, I find that after I say what I am grateful for and hear what others are grateful for, I feel comfort and I find new things to cherish. So, who is to say these feelings should only be around Thanksgiving? What if we all reflect on what we are grateful for year-round in helping to foster the feeling of self-acceptance, self-love, and peace? I think it is safe to say that we college students need some peace now and again (especially with finals just around the corner).
In fact, a great way to reflect on your gratitude for the things in your life, as it has been said, is to keep a gratitude journal. This way, when there are trials and tribulations, when obstacles erupt and it may feel that everything is crashing down, you can go back and think about all the good in your life. It doesn’t even need to be that extravagant. I kept a gratitude journal over the past month and it can be as simple as “the air I breathe,” “the person who handed me my coffee with a smile on their face,” or “the support from my family or friends.” It’s the little things that eventually add up that make you see that there is good, there is light, in your life.
The benefits of having gratitude, or in the context of giving thanks, actually have scientifically proven effects, as noted in 28 Benefits of Gratitude. These benefits are put into six sections and are noted as follows :
Gratitude and Emotional Benefits:
- Make us happier
- Increase psychological well-being
- Enhance our positive emotions
- Increase our self-esteem
- Keep suicidal thoughts and attempts at bay
Gratitude and Social Benefits
- Make people like us
- Improve our romantic relationships
- Improve our friendships
- Increases social support
- Strengthen family relationships in times of stress
Gratitude and Personality Benefits
- Make us more optimistic
- Increase our spiritualism
- Make us more giving
- Indicate reduced materialism
- Enhance optimism
Gratitude and Career Benefits
- Make us more effective managers
- Reduce impatience and improve decision-making
- Help us find meaning in our work
- Contribute to reduced turnover
- Improve work-related mental health and reduce stress
Gratitude and Physical Health
- Reduce depressive symptoms
- Reduce your blood pressure
- Improve your sleep
- Increase your frequency of exercise
- Improve your overall physical health
Gratitude’s Role in Recovery
- Help people recover from substance misuse
- Enhance recovery from coronary health events
- Facilitate the recovery of people with depression
So, this Thanksgiving, when you are surrounded by family, friends, loved ones and your favorite Thanksgiving foods, I for one am super excited for the carrot soufflé, will you make the active choice of finding something to be grateful for? More importantly, will you make an active effort to be grateful year-round? I know that I will and I hope that you, dear reader, are inclined to as well.