Empowering Thankfulness
The holidays season is upon us and there are so many things to do. Between work, chores, shopping, meeting deadlines and family obligations, we can get anxious, overwhelmed, tired and stressed. However, a simple mindset shift toward gratitude can lift your mood up for the better. By empowering feelings of thankfulness within ourselves, we are strengthening positive emotions and training our brains to spot the good things in life. This practice helps you feel better as you go about your day and makes challenges more manageable.
As seniors, we should be thankful for our longevity and enjoy our leisure time — we have surely earned it! Reflecting on the good things in our lives and expressing gratitude for them is incredibly energizing. It can give us a sense of perspective that is surprisingly easy to forget. There are always things in your life that you can value and appreciate, no matter what is going on.
When you deliberately practice gratitude, you create strong bonds with friends and family. Think about how you feel when you hear the words “thank you.” It feels good to be appreciated by others. By expressing our appreciation, we meet their needs of others, lift their spirits and make them feel validated. These moments strengthen bonds between individuals, boost feelings of positivity and helps us all move more joyfully into the season of Thankfulness.
Ways to Practice Thankfulness in Relation to Exercise
- Before a workout: thank your body for showing up and having the opportunity to use it and be healthy.
- After a workout: be grateful for what your body has accomplished.
- Throughout the day: thank your body for what it does for you, including such basic functions as breathing, smelling, tasting, talking, moving, and helping you stay as active as possible. Say things like, “I am so grateful I can exercise and push my body. I feel so much better when I am done. I know this will help me live longer and improve my quality of life.”
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to empower our feelings of thankfulness. During fun and joyful gatherings, we reunite with friends and family to share special times. Try practicing gratitude daily. Every day can be a day of thanksgiving because everyone has something to be thankful for! Be grateful and healthy and I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
This article originally appeared in the Ventura Breeze.
