With midterms just finishing up and finals in the foreseeable future, it might seem difficult to appreciate those extra two days off school for Thanksgiving. But, gratitude is just what you need in times of stress, and the holiday offers the perfect opportunity to practice. To get you started, here are seven of the best books to get you started and (hopefully) rejuvenate you a bit before going back to school:
- Words of Gratitude by Robert emmons and joanna hill
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Looking for a digestible read? Words of Gratitude for Mind, Body, and Soul might be your perfect quick option for dipping into gratitude this Thanksgiving break. Author Robert Emmons communicates the extensive benefits of embracing gratitude as an attitude rather than as a fleeting reaction. For the skeptics and fact-oriented audiences, Emmons includes even includes a study to support his ideas. This bite-size book is profound beyond its page count.
- The Gifts of Imperfection by brené brown
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If you need merit-based evidence, The Gifts of Imperfection is a New York Times bestseller, was included in Forbes magazine’s “Five Books That Will Actually Change Your Outlook On Life” and has sold over 20 million copies. It’s a self-help staple. The book doesn’t miss a beat, including original studies and research, psychological analysis, and the fundamental motivations and guidance of the self-help genre. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing self-worth and personal truth.
- Wake Up Grateful by kristi nelson
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The most difficult times to be grateful are often the ones where gratitude is most important. Kristi Nelson unearths the impact of appreciating every moment, engaging her audience with questions, prompts and daily exercises. For the ideal balance between introspection, insight, and interaction, turn to Wake Up Grateful.
- Gratitude by oliver sacks
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If self-help books aren’t your thing, Gratitude might be your best bet. Grounded in his personal story with recurring cancer, Oliver Sacks testifies for the importance of appreciating life. An ode to individual human experience, Gratitude is rich with moving anecdotes and insight.
- The Little Book of Gratitude by Robert emmons
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This practical little book is super accessible and is a great way to start implementing practices immediately. It’s a starter kit for all things gratitude, including an exposé of its benefits, meditation tips, easy techniques, and even an 8-week plan for integrating gratitude into your daily life.
- 365 Thank Yous by john kralik
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Established within author John Kralik’s personal experiences, the book chronicles the benefits Kralik experiences from writing thank you notes each day for 365 days. He shares the domino-like effect of practicing gratitude, its extensive positive impacts on countless areas of his life.
- Thanks! by Robert emmons
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The STEM-oriented crowd will appreciate this study-based book by Robert Emmons on the positive psychological impacts of practicing gratitude. Stress relief, recovery from illness, improved relationships, and overall increases in happiness are just a few of the benefits mentioned.
So, whether it’s for pumpkin pie, a couple of days’ rest, or simply spending time with friends and family, take some time to practice gratitude this Thanksgiving break. The benefits of being grateful are boundless and its applications are busy-schedule friendly. That said, this holiday is the ideal opportunity to give thanks!