Thanksgiving has just passed, which gives way to Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and a host of Christmas parties and shopping trips that culminate in Christmas and then New Year’s Day. It is a flurry of activity, and we can tend to get so caught up in the planning, the buying, and the stress of it all that it can turn into a season of not-so-much-fun. While keeping an attitude of gratitude as a way of being will help support you throughout the year, it is in this holiday season that it can help even more to “make the season bright!”
When you make it a habit to look for things to be grateful for, you become a happier and more confident person. This positive vibe surrounds you, and makes people want to be around you all the more. If you take this a step further and express some of that appreciation to those you come across throughout your day, it uplifts all those around you. There are a lot of studies that show how generosity can boost your immunity, make you feel good, make you feel less pain and even help lower your risk of heart attack!
Generosity is not limited to giving your money or even your time, but also includes your attention and your kind words. A heartfelt “Thank You!” can make all the difference in each person’s day. Did you ever hear the saying, “what goes around comes around?”
Another side-effect of an attitude of gratitude is a minimizing of problems. When left unattended, our problems can seem to get larger and larger and you can feel out of control. But gratitude can transform all of that by changing your focus and giving you a sense that they are easily managed. You are more open to creativity and strategic thinking.
The health benefits of gratitude include better sleep, less depression and anxiety, more optimism, better immunity, and a lower chance of aggressive behavior. It often also results in better self-care and a healthier lifestyle.
So if you are not in the habit of practicing gratitude, give it a try! Start out by grabbing a notebook and writing the first 3 things that pop into your mind that you feel grateful for. Do this every day, and you will be amazed at how many OTHER things flood into your mind that you are grateful for as well.
If you feel that you would like some help with focusing on gratitude, check out our “Tuning Your Core Vibration” program, which uses Gratituning to help facilitate personal growth!