Yesterday I was shopping for a bathroom rug at TJMaxx, and all around me were the sights and sounds of Christmas. Holiday music was in full swing, the shelves were stocked with gifts and decorations, As I bopped my way to the Bed+Bath section to the rhythm of Jingle Bell Rock, I found myself wondering:
What happened to Thanksgiving?
It’s a quick jump from Halloween to Christmas in the retail world. But I wonder, if we mentally skip over the holiday of gratitude, can we really experience the full benefit of giving and receiving during the winter holidays?
As I ponder this, I realize that my own Gratitude Journal has been sitting untouched by my bed for far too long. I’ve been missing out on fully experiencing the gifts I get to experience daily, from my chai tea in the morning to my cozy flannel sheets at night, and everything in between.
So, as we head into the final 10 days before Thanksgiving, I invite you to join me:
Take just five minutes a day to write down ten things you’re grateful for.
And as you write, pause and see if you can feel an expansive sense of gratitude in your heart.
Research shows that writing in a gratitude journal is good for your heart and can lower your blood pressure! Other healh benefits include stress reduction, improved sleep and reduced depression and anxiety. Check out the resources below to learn more about the health benefits of gratitude, and some tips for practicing.