For those of us who celebrate Thanksgiving, the holiday is often filled with family, friends, football and good food. For many it also heralds the beginning of more holiday hustle and bustle and year end activities. While many of us take the time to be thankful on the fourth Thursday of November, research tells us that making gratitude a regular habit can be an insulator against stress, sorrow, anger and grief as our brains are wired to identify and solve problems, not to be thankful for the daily positive moments.
A consistent practice helps us to notice the good, the kind, and the wonder in our lives - those in between moments we may forget too quickly or even fail to notice. In order to be most effective, it needs to be specific. Literature demonstrates you can reap a bonus benefit by sharing the items on your gratitude list with another.
If you are interested in trying this process, Dr. Maria Curran recommends a goal of three times per week to start. All you need is a notebook or journal and 5-10 minutes.
Remember to be specific:
Instead of “a nice walk” writing “I saw a pair of blue herons flying while walking the dogs.”
Instead of “my partner “ writing “the attention from my partner after my tough day...”
At The Center for Creativity and Healing, we wish you to have a safe and enjoyable holiday filled with kindness and gratitude.
For more information about the bountiful benefits of regular gratitude:
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