Hit Pause, Say Thanks During The Holidays

We’re going into the holidays, but things have been different, to say the least. We’ve shifted our daily routines and settled into a new normal. Many of our roles have drastically changed and expanded from what they were before – full-time employee, homeschool teacher, home chef, cloth face covering maker – to name just a few. Wading through this uncertain time of COVID-19 in addition to mastering new roles can leave us drained. But the holidays still mark a very special time of year and a time to be thankful for all that we have.

An easy way to recoup good vibes is to practice gratitude. Gratitude by definition is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Research from Robert Emmons, a scientific expert on gratitude, shows that gratitude has numerous health benefits for our body, mind and community:

Gratitude allows us to see the good in the world. So next time you’re feeling bogged down by all your responsibilities or worried about what the future holds, take a moment to hit pause and say thanks.

Here are a few simple practices to help you get started on reaping those health benefits and cultivating an attitude of gratitude: