The holiday Season is a time for family, friends, and gatherings, but for many this season can also come with feelings of sadness, anxiety or a sense of being overwhelmed. The good news is that this season for most is also a time for giving, receiving and reflection. If you focus on one thing this holiday season, focus on gratitude. Gratitude is the thankful appreciate for what one has or receives, whether tangible or intangible. There have been many studies that have shown a strong association between gratefulness and increased happiness, positive emotions and improved outlook of the world over time. Often gratitude helps people focus on what they have instead of what they don’t. It is not as much the positive thoughts that have shown improved mood, but the lack of negative ones. To offset some of the sadness or anxiety you are feeling this season, make it a daily habit to take a moment to reflect on what you have whether that be shelter, food, family, health or heat. You can share this with a friend, family, write it down, or even silently acknowledge it. Sharing this with others helps build connections especially in a time that it’s easy to become isolated. Of course, there is no denying that problems still exist, but its good reason to point out the highs amongst the lows. Though practicing gratitude does have many positive benefits on improving mental health, like a muscle, it takes time to grow those effects so remember to practice gratitude all year long, not just this Holiday Season!
Dr. M
