The reason behind Thanksgiving is often overlooked. Maybe it’s because Black Friday is the next day, and the crazy deals and door busters creep into the night of Thanksgiving. Sometimes, we forget to say what we’re thankful for when we’re busy making a big dinner, enjoying family, or getting ready to go shopping.
Since we celebrated Thanksgiving last week, and before we get into the Christmas spirit, it’s the perfect time to discuss gratitude.
Gratitude is a powerful thing. It puts things into perspective and helps us realize what we have. Being thankful can strengthen relationships, improve health, and make us happier.
Here are a few ways to practice gratitude every day:
Watch what you say: It’s easy to complain. Sometimes, it’s necessary to vent out your frustrations. But those who tend to dwell on the negative are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Try to talk about the good things in life: gifts, your children and spouse, blessings, fortune, and abundance.
Start a gratitude ritual at home: Take five minutes out of your day to tell your family members what you are thankful for. Maybe it’s while you are tucking the kids in, or maybe you go around the table before dinner. It’s important that your children take part in this ritual, too, as it can make them happier, more helpful children.
Thank your partner/spouse daily: There’s no doubting that a relationship is difficult at times. Problems arise, and they aren’t always dealt with. Get in the habit of thanking your partner for something every day. We just want to feel appreciated and recognized. It’s amazing how these little moments of gratitude can strengthen a relationship.
Write thank-you letters: While we may thank people verbally, the written word has the potential to be even more powerful–you have taken the time to write out your appreciation. A letter can be saved, read multiple times, and treasured.
Journal: Start today by keeping a gratitude journal. Daily, write down something that you are thankful for. It doesn’t have to be big things every day. Maybe you’re thankful for the smile that the grocer gave you at the supermarket, or for the opportunity to help out at your child’s school.
If you have any questions about today’s blog post, don’t hesitate to contact Reka by phone at 402-881-8125, by email at reka@omaha-counseling.com, or via Twitter or Facebook.
