Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on how abundant your life is and to express gratitude for the things that you have and the people you love. According to Dr. Gottfried, practicing gratitude can lower your cortisol levels and reduce stress. So not only are you boosting someone else’s spirits and showing them that you notice and appreciate all that they do for you, but you are helping yourself as well. Check out her website, or the hormone cure for more information.
In honor of thanksgiving, I want to share a few fun ways to practice gratitude:
- Give a hand written note to a loved one. Tell them how much they mean to you and why you are thankful to have them in your life.
- Set a gratitude alarm. Set an alarm for a specific time every day. When the alarm goes off share one or more things that you are grateful for. You can share out loud or quietly to yourself. Try going around in a circle and have everyone share what he or she are grateful for.
- Keep a gratitude journal. Every morning/evening write down a few things that you are grateful for. Go back and read the book when you are feeling angry or upset. Think of it as a gratitude meditation.
- Snap chat a photo and a little message of gratitude to your friends and family.
- Exchange thoughtful homemade cards or gifts with your loved ones. Plan a family exchange as part of the holiday celebration, or on a random day when you think it will lift everyone’s spirits