During the holidays, sometimes we get caught up in the idea of material things around us. This holiday, sit back and take in the aspects of your life around you, your family, and the gratitude we see through these traditions that bring us together. Having gratitude in your life can positively impact your mental health.
Gratitude helps us appreciate life, at the same time improving our overall health and wellness. By experiencing gratitude, you can build stronger relationships and better handle stress. Research shows that having gratitude can actually give you greater happiness in life.
So, how can you focus on gratitude this holiday season? Here are 7 ways you can start indulging in gratitude and experience its benefits on your health and wellness.
Write a thank-you note
Saying thank you is a great way to appreciate the things you receive and feel gratitude towards others. Try writing a thank you note attached to those gifts for your friend or loved one when receiving and exchanging gifts this year. Always thank those who support you and around your daily life because you will feel immense gratitude that you have those people in your life.
Practice acts of kindness
The holiday season is the perfect time to help others who are less fortunate. Volunteering, donating canned goods and toys, or baking cookies for a neighbor are simple and easy ways to show others that you care. As a bonus, while these acts of kindness serve others, they also help to boost your mood and increase gratitude opportunities.
Prioritize a list
Make a list of things you have instead of the things you want. This time of the year, sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of receiving gifts. By making a list of things you already have, you will feel more grateful for everyday things. Some things you may not have ever realized you were thankful for.
Create an appreciation journal
By reflecting on all you have to be grateful for, an appreciation journal will help you realize the love you have in your life. Write down a specific moment you were grateful for, build a deeper connection, and expand your gratitude practice.
Consider meditation
Meditative practices are a great way to practice and deepen gratitude, along with reducing stress. Most meditation concepts come from a loving-kindness method and try to facilitate appreciation.
Appreciate the little things
Evaluate all the factors throughout your day. Your body, meals, technology intake, and take a moment to reflect on the simple things you can appreciate. This allows you to frame what you are grateful for.
Focus on your health and wellbeing
Whatever you may be focusing on health-wise, mental or physical, it’s vital to stay positive. It’s easy to take our health for granted and all of the abilities we have. Being thankful for your health allows us to focus on what we have rather than what we lack.
Work on increasing your gratitude over the holidays into the new year. If you are seeking to gain optimal health and get more out of your life, then Cheshire Wellness Center is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge chiropractic care for you and your family to make that possible!
If you want to attain optimal health and stay there for the rest of your life, NetworkSpinal Chiropractic Care can help you achieve your health and wellness goals. Contact us at (603) 357-5700.
