It is the happiest time of the year, and Thanksgiving marks the grand opening of the holiday season. Thanksgiving day is officially dedicated to expressing gratitude towards others and giving thanks to all the good and bad things in life. Apart from having a patriotic history, Thanksgiving also has spiritual roots that can be traced back to the Old Testament, making it a special event for Christians.

Thanksgiving offers an amazing chance to get together with friends and family and express gratitude for all of the abundance we enjoy throughout the year. This day everyone sits down to enjoy a delicious meal and break bread together. With many traditions like the Macy’s thanksgiving day parade, turkey pardon at the white house, and the annual gathering of family members, this day holds a special place in our hearts.

However, many people do not realize that this festival holds much more important value than we think. According to various studies, being thankful on Thanksgiving gives us mental peace and seems to have physical benefits. 

So, let us find out the importance of a joyful day in our lives and how we can be thankful not just on Thanksgiving but make it an everyday thing!

History of thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States is often traced back to 1621, when the Plymouth Colony settlers and the Wampanoag shared a feast to celebrate the season’s harvest.

The trial for Plymouth Colony settlers started in 1620 with the voyage of the storied Mayflower. It was a journey that went on for 65 days in which 102 men, women, and children crossed the Atlantic in a very tight space. Following a harsh winter in New England, the settlers celebrated their first Thanksgiving in 1621 after a yielding harvest.

Pilgrims celebrated their second Thanksgiving in 1623. It was held to mark the end of a long and painful drought that had threatened the year’s harvest and forced Governor Bradford to request a religious fast. Since then, days of fasting and celebrating Thanksgiving annually have become a norm in other New England settlements as well.

However, It was not until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day on the final Thursday of November while America was in the midst of the Civil War. from that day, Thanksgiving day became a federal holiday and has been celebrated ever since.

Why is Thanksgiving important?

As we all know by now, Thanksgiving is the day of expressing gratitude and showing our thankfulness for the good things in our life. Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and exuding positive energy into the universe. 

This nature of Thanksgiving invites nothing but positivity for yourself and the people around you. This festival is the catalyst for many benefits and can allow you to enjoy psychological, physical, and even spiritual benefits.

It brings us closer to god

Because the spiritual past of Thanksgiving, it allows the people to reconnect with the divine power and acknowledge its spiritual presence. It is the most repeated expression of faith between man and God and is the primary communication unit with the divine. 

Since the first Thanksgiving, we sit down with our loved ones and thank the Lord for the meal and all of the good things we encounter in our lives. It not only makes us humble and thankful but also enhances our spiritual connectivity with the universe.

It reminds us to be thankful

There is a saying that  “the earth is enough to fill everyone’s need but not enough to fulfill one’s greed.” The statement is true, although harsh, that as we grow, we tend to desire more and more things and get stuck in a rat race. This always moving and demanding lifestyle makes us forget to be thankful for what we have in our lives. 

Thanksgiving is the day that reminds us to be thankful for the things, the people we have in our lives. It reminds us that, although we always try to achieve more, we should always be grateful for the accomplishments we have made in the past.

It encourages us to give back to the community

You often see soup kitchens are jam-packed with volunteers at the time of Thanksgiving, but why is that? Well, Thanksgiving is about being humble and giving back to the community. Being a giver is crucial for an individual and for society to stay in balance. This day teaches us to give more than we take and always makes these selfless gestures of kindness.

Because of this, people at the time of Thanksgiving get more generous than ever and go out of their way to do selfless good deeds.

It puts your mind at ease

Gratitude and mindfulness are the two major catalysts of achieving mental peace and stability, and Thanksgiving is perfectly capable of promoting these features in people. It helps in reducing a multitude of negative emotions and converts them into positive ones. Thanksgiving is the day where you can kick back and relieve yourself with all the stress and enjoy the company of your loved ones.

It improves your physical well-being

It might not look like it, but Thanksgiving can improve your physical health. Many studies have shown that gratitude is a direct influencer of cholesterol and blood pressure levels. With reduced anxiety and stress, people are less prone to suffer from heart problems and other diseases. It is also seen that people who practice gratitude experience fewer body aches and chronic pains.

Make everyday, thanksgiving day!

We all got to know how crucial thanksgiving day is; it is a day full of positivity and grateful emotions. Thanksgiving has so many benefits that one might wonder, why not be like this every day?  

Well, this is precisely what you should do to make yourself a more positive person. You can practice gratitude and mindfulness daily by adopting exercises like gratitude meditation and gratitude journaling. Daily gratitude practices can uplift your mental and physical health and be the key to a more happy and sustainable life.

Actions speak louder than words: Why gratitude is good for your well-being 

Being grateful is usually correlated with elevated happiness and positive emotions within yourself. It allows us to celebrate big as well as small positive and enjoyable experiences that we experience in our daily lives.

Up until now, we have talked a lot about gratitude and what are the ways that you can bring the habit of practicing gratitude into your daily life. But the question still remains that why gratitude is good for you and how it improves our well-being. No one wants to change their daily routine or adopt new habits unless it offers bucket loads of benefits for them.

Well, today, we are here to answer that question for you. Read the article below to find out how gratitude is the key to your emotional and physical well-being.

Gratitude and well-being

Many studies have shown that grateful people tend to be more healthy and positive, and productive when compared. They are less likely to suffer from stress and depression and handle tough and stressful times much better. Gratitude enables people to be happier and more satisfied with life. 

Many studies prove the benefits that come from gratitude practice. Although the jury is still out on the level of impact that these practices have on a person, one thing is for sure is that the benefits of practicing gratitude are too good to ignore. Mentioned below are some of these benefits that gratitude practice holds. 

Strengthen relationships

Being thankful or humble can not only strengthen your current relationships. But, it also provides you with chances to grow and form new relationships with different people. Saying thank you or being polite are just good manners, and just by exhibiting humble behavior, you can have a better, stronger bond with friends, family, and even with your significant other.

So, whether you send a small gift to the colleague who helped you with work in the office or you thank a stranger for holding the elevator. Recognizing the small gestures of other people can lead to better relationships and new opportunities.

Provides psychological well-being

Many researchers such as Chih-Che Lin have found that people who practice gratitude have a positive influence on their psychological well-being, self-esteem, and depression. Gratitude helps eliminate many levels of toxic emotions, such as envy, frustration, resentment, and regret. 

Not only that, but it also helps people to reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Gratitude calms the mind and allows us to be more poised and present at the moment.

Improves self-esteem

We all know that negative feelings like stress, anxiety, and depression are the enemies of our self-esteem. These emotions make us doubt ourselves and our self-worth and make a person insecure and doubtful about its capabilities.

Gratitude is the tool that can pull you out of this hole. Grateful people often possess elevated self-esteem and a better acknowledgment of their self-worth. Studies have also shown that gratitude helps in reducing social comparisons. So, people are less likely to get negatively affected by other people’s accomplishments and are less prone to compare themselves with others.

Gratitude helps in sleep 

People who struggle with insomnia and restlessness know the pain of inadequate sleep. Rem sleep is a vital part of good health, and irregular sleep or inconsistent sleep cycle can put our health at risk. It puts strain on the body and increases the risk of developing problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and so on.

Gratitude practicing can be the answer to this problem. By providing a calm and composed mind, gratitude helps patients with a heart problem or chronic pain to sleep better and recover faster than other patients.

Improves physical health

Gratitude not only works for the inside but also the outside. Gratitude well-being also keeps your physical health in check and provides improved strength and immunity. Grateful people tend to experience fewer pains and are less prone to catching diseases than other people. 

This is because people who are thankful and satisfied with their surroundings are likely to take care of their health and fitness. They monitor their eating habits and indulge in regular exercise. It results in better energy levels, better sleep, and a stronger immune system to fight off any illness or infection.

Increases mental strength

Gratitude can put your mind at ease and provide peace and mindfulness, but gratitude practice also can help in overcoming trauma. According to a study published in Behavior Research and Therapy in 2006, showing gratitude can lead to lower levels of PTSD ( post-traumatic stress disorder). 

Being thankful even in your worst times can make your suffering easier. Also, it prevents and helps you from tackling the trauma of the situation. 

Connect us with our spiritual roots

Some people might not find it useful, but gratitude allows us to connect on a spiritual level. Practicing gratitude is embedded in many religions. In Christianity, Jesus too expressed his gratitude for his disciples. In Judaism, the first words of the morning prayer are translated as, “I thank you.” Almost all religions encourage us to practice gratitude and give thanks for the things we have.

Performing exercises like gratitude meditation and gratitude journaling can make you more spiritually active. You might come out of the session with a feeling of peace and humble emotion. Believing there is a higher power or a profound appreciation for the universe.  

Make us more optimistic and giving.

One of the major objectives for practicing gratitude is to find positivity in everything and eliminate that self-centered tendency in ourselves. Gratitude practice pushes us to acknowledge the good things we experience in our everyday lives and allows us to be more thankful for them. It was seen that grateful people tend to display more positivity and exude happiness and optimism. 
It lets us see the “good” in bad subconsciously reassures us that everything will be fine. Moreover, it encourages us to be more giving and practice the phrase “give more than you take.” Grateful people are more likely to share with others and try to help people even at the expense of themselves, and even if the receiver was a stranger.

Try practicing gratitude whenever you have free time. You may be surprised by the benefits that it brings you.

Showing gratitude is easy when everything is going well and smooth. Gratitude allows us to celebrate and elevate our feeling of goodness and makes the good days great! But, practicing gratitude and having that gratitude feeling is even more crucial when the times are trying and things are tough.

At some point in our lives, we face uncertain and challenging times, and more often than not, these situations surround us at all times. Moreover, the hit that economy has taken because of the Covid-19 pandemic, gratitude practice, and gratefulness is more crucial than ever. Gratitude is the perfect medicine for better physical and mental health regardless of the source of your anxiety and stress.

We know that it’s not easy to find that silver lining when things are going sideways, but being humble and finding good in the bad can surely make those times easier for you. Gratitude will not instantly cure all your problems, nor will it give you back your joyful bliss, but it will give you the tools and positive mindset to deal with those challenging times. 

In fact, several studies show that gratitude can help us cope with traumas, control our negative emotions, and improve our overall health. So, without further adieu, let us jump in and find out how you can find gratitude and mindfulness while battling the tough times of your life.

Tips to find gratitude in trying times

Focus on the good

It’s easy to get hung up on bad situations and the unfortunate things that are happening to you. Everything looks dark and feels like there is no exit during tough times, but is it really the case?

Finding the silver lining is a way to ride out the tough times. Try to remember the little good things that are happening in your life. It is crucial to have that glass-half-full mentality to keep your mind calm, poised, and better capable of dealing with the trying times of your life.

You cannot appreciate something until you take a look at it. So, try to complain less about things and notice the good moments that are happening around you.

Remember the difficult times.

Most often than not, tough times are the ones that make you more humble and allow you to get the appreciation of good times. When the times are good, we take good things for granted, making us less grateful for them. With that being said, Pain and suffering can polish and deepen gratefulness. It allows us to remember not to take things for granted and appreciate every moment that we have. 

Thus, it is crucial to remember the trying times for you to get a better perspective. When the times are tough, remember the sorrows and the trials you have faced before and how you overcame them. This will not only give you the strength and hope to soldier through the situation but will also give you a new appreciation and gratitude towards life. 

Always remember! If you want the rainbow, you have to deal with the rain.

Reframe the situation

Showing gratitude in tough times does not necessarily mean quitting trying and ignoring the situation. Rather than that, it tells you to acknowledge the situation you are in, accept the circumstances, and find out options to deal with them with a positive mindset. 

So telling people to sit back, count their blessings, and find out good things can certainly do much harm. Instead, you should see the situation from different angles, and strive to find the solution for the problem while being grateful for the good things you still have in your life. It can help you tackle harsh times and will keep your mind at peace.

Try gratitude meditation

It might sound a little cliché, but gratitude meditation is a great way to get out of your current mindset and opt for a different, more positive one. Daily focused meditation can make you more present at the moment and can give you a focused, more determined mind to tackle your problems. 

It allows you to turn unfortunate circumstances into life lessons and make you more grateful towards life. There are many benefits of practicing gratitude and gratitude meditation, and coping with stressful times is just one example of it.

Make a gratitude journal.

Maintaining a gratitude journal is another method to practice gratitude during difficult times. Sometimes, writing what you are thinking can make a big difference and, this is what gratitude journaling is all about. 

Gratitude journaling refers to writing down the things you are grateful for. It can be a person, an object, or even a friendly gesture that you got from a friend, family member, or even a stranger. This daily practice reminds you of the good things you have in your life and enables you to face those difficult times with more mindfulness and positivity.

Spend time with other grateful people

The people who are close to you possess the power to influence your thought patterns, your attitude, and even your personality. This is why it is crucial to surround yourself with the company of other people who practice gratitude in their lives. Gratitude is an attitude, and surrounding yourself with other grateful people will nurture this positive part of you as well as give you the strength to fight difficult times.

Try helping others

Just because you are going through uncertain times, even then, you should never forget to help others. Even in the hardest phases of life, generosity, compassion, and human connection can cure all your bad emotions. Helping others can give you hope and determination to fight difficult times and can allow other people to help you as well.

Final thoughts

In the end, all we can say is that expressing gratitude in difficult times can make your journey easier and can fill you with hope and positivity. Abraham Lincon once said the phrase “This too shall pass,” which means all times, good or bad, will eventually come to an end, and the times will change. Keeping this mantra in mind, always remember that hard times will pass, and things will get better. Meanwhile, you can cope with tough situations better by practicing gratitude with the above-mentioned methods.

Imagine starting your day with a positive mood, energized body, and ready to take on the world. Well, this is what gratitude does to you. Studies have shown that expressing gratitude can improve your physical and mental health. The simplistic habit of evaluating and writing down what you’re grateful for can lead to a happier, more peaceful life. 

Showing gratitude or being grateful in general seems a pretty easy thing to do. But, in reality, it is a much harder cookie to crack than it looks. The best way to achieve this milestone is to maintain a gratitude journal. Gratitude journals are not like a “dear diary” that you keep as a teenager. It is a journal that you write about the arbitrary thoughts of the day, the things you have seen, and the things you are grateful for. 

Gratitude journaling is becoming a popular and proven method of practicing gratitude. And we are here to guide you on how you can make gratitude journaling a daily part of your life and habits.

Tips for Keeping a Gratitude Journal

Everyone’s gratitude journal is different, and there is no defined way to keep a gratitude journal. However, we have some tips that will make this process easier for you and help you make it a habit you will easily stick to.

Choose a journal

The first step for starting gratitude journaling (don’t worry, it is easy) is selecting a journal to record your thoughts. There are a few things that you can keep in mind before choosing a journal. For instance, whether you want to physically write the journal or type it on a digital device, will you be carrying the journal around or have a dedicated place for writing, or so on.

Traditionally, many have recommended keeping a physical journal, but you can also use dedicated journaling apps available in the market. Nonetheless, whether you go for the physical or digital type of journaling, keep in mind, it will be for the long haul.

Reassure yourself of the benefits

Many people can find it hard to get started on their journaling cycle, and if you haven’t kept a journal before, chances are it will be a tough thing to get a grip on. To counter this problem, it is always essential to reassure yourself of the benefits that this activity holds and the changes it can bring to your life just by spending a little time every day and indulging in the process. Reminding yourself daily of the benefits of gratitude can give you the boost you need and fuel you to keep going for a long time to come.

Big or small, write it down!

The amazing thing about keeping a gratitude journal is that it pushes you to evaluate things you are grateful for. These things can be as big as winning a lottery or small as having a plate full of food. The only thing you have to do is write it down. 

You can begin by looking at the things around you. Maybe you can be grateful for the pen you’re holding, as it enables you to record your thoughts, or perhaps you can be grateful that you have electricity in your house. You can express your gratitude for the cozy bed you sleep in every night, or you can be thankful towards a friend who met you today. While these things may not seem that big, starting small and journaling about small things can make a big difference over time.

Perfection is in the details.

You can maintain your gratitude journal much better if you put more details into your entries, write about things precisely, and why they make you thankful. Gratitude journal keeping can get way more fun and way more engaging if you try to mention why you liked the thing and why that thing or gesture made you thankful as you are. 

Getting precise and running deep with your entries helps you build a stronger bond with the things you manifest gratitude for. Not to mention, being conscious of why you feel thankful can help you get even better results out of your journal. 

Write about different things.

Another way to improve your daily gratitude practice is to write about different areas and aspects of your life. Concentrating on a single part of your life can restrict your self-perception and limit your gratitude and journaling experience. You can write about the personal, professional, or even intimate part of your life. 

You can also mention the things you have learned or the accomplishments you have achieved on the day. Expanding your horizons and significantly enhancing your satisfaction for gratitude journaling and that gratitude feeling within you.

Carve out time for the activity

If you want to make gratitude journaling a part of your routine, then committing to the process is the only way to do it. Practicing gratitude benefits the mind and the body, but it is only beneficial if you do it regularly. Some of the best times to write in your daily gratitude journal are in the morning or just before bed at night. 

We understand that everyone is busy, and it is not easy to make time in this fast-pacing world. Although to start a daily gratitude practice habit, it is also important to make time for your mental health and mindfulness.

Don’t get carried away. 

Overuse of anything is harmful, and the same goes with gratitude journaling also. Always keep yourself in check and try not to overdo gratitude journaling. It is recommended to write in your gratitude journal once or twice a day.

Conclusion

There is a mountain of benefits of keeping a gratitude journal. It provides your thoughts an exit point and allows you to dive deep within yourself and practice gratefulness. Now that you have a cheat sheet to make your gratitude journaling practice last, the final step is to begin. Don’t wait for a special occasion or a sign from God. Just pick up a pen and start your mindful experience.