Monday Moanin Thoughts #277 Forget The Grind, Let’s Practice Some Gratitude This Week

It is hard to believe that we are a few days away from Thanksgiving 2017. This Holiday arrives during at a perfect time. In Michigan, since August students and staff’s have been hitting the school year hard. Without any breaks, the past several weeks have truly been a grind. As a result , it is difficult to really focus on the good stuff.  Thanksgiving Day changes that. It is the time that many people reflect on gratitude and being thankful for those gifts that are important in their lives. This year, lets join in and beginning today make a daily practice of reflecting on those things we are grateful for!  

As we begin our practice of gratitude., consider taking action by making a commitment to seek out ten people and thank them for who they are and what they do for others. It can be students, staff members, community members, or family. This small act is a powerful way to appreciate one another. By practicing more gratitude and acting with more optimism, researchers believe that good health is enhanced.

According to University of California Davis psychology professor Robert Emmons, grateful people — those who perceive gratitude as a permanent trait rather than a temporary state of mind — have an edge on the not-so-grateful when it comes to health, according to Emmons’ research on gratitude. “Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, regular physical examinations,” Emmons tells WebMD.

Consider talking to yourself in a creative, optimistic, and appreciate manner, suggests Sam Quick, PhD, of the University of Kentucky. This could entail simply reflecting on things for which you’re grateful or, if you’re facing a challenging situation, seeing how it can ultimately be beneficial. For instance, having to cope with particularly difficult people in your job can improve your patience and understanding.

Make it a great week and keep reaching out to others and be kind to yourself, it is good for you! Happy Thanksgiving.