It’s almost THANKSGIVING! Do you know what that means? It’s time for great food, getting together with family, and of course, being thankful. While it is great that people take this time every year to think and talk about what they are thankful for in their lives, did you know that doing this might have actual health benefits???
A study summarized by Harvard Medical School shows that people who wrote about things they were grateful for on a weekly basis, actually showed they were more optimistic, happy, exercised more, and visited the doctor less. In another study cited by NBC website Today.com, found that gratitude can boost your immune system! The article says researchers at the universities of Utah and Kentucky saw that law students who said they saw themselves as optimistic actually had more disease-fighting cells in their bodies. What this means is feeling gratitude and being thankful in your life might have the potential to make you healthier!
Need some tips on how to show your thanks to the important people in your life?
- Write a thank-you note– You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank you letter expressing appreciation for that person’s impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible.
- Thank someone mentally– It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank them.
- Meditate– Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase, it is also possible to focus on what you’re grateful for
- Count your blessings– Sometimes it helps to pick a number (such as three to five things) that you will identify each week. Be specific and pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings, reflecting on what you are grateful for.