Gratitude's Impact and Practices During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving stands as an occasion for family reunions and expressing gratitude for life's blessings. However, considering the holiday's history, ongoing Indigenous struggles, global conflicts, and climate change, it can be difficult to prioritize gratitude.

Even amidst these challenges, practicing gratitude has proven benefits for mental and emotional well-being. Research indicates that gratitude can enhance social well-being, emotional health, positive psychological functioning, and sleep quality. It has even been linked to improved blood pressure, blood sugar control, asthma control, and eating behaviors.

1. Gratitude Journaling: Regularly record things, people, or events you're grateful for. Studies show writing about gratitude significantly boosts well-being.
2. Mindful Gratitude: Throughout your day, take moments to appreciate the small blessings, like a warm cup of coffee or a beautiful sunset.
3. Express Gratitude to Others: Let loved ones know how much you appreciate them, either verbally or in written form.
4. Teach Gratitude to Children: Foster positive emotions and behaviors in children by encouraging them to express gratitude.
5. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements: Reflect on and appreciate your accomplishments, whether big or small.

While practicing gratitude, it's crucial to be aware of how it intersects with oppression, privilege, and social injustice. Gratitude shouldn't detract from addressing the root causes of inequitable outcomes and societal problems. It should also not be used to minimize the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Incorporating these gratitude-promoting strategies into your life offers a path to enhancing your overall well-being without perpetuating harmful societal norms.