This year the Thanksgiving holiday lands on Thursday, November 22. It is a day to be thankful for family, caring friends, and all the things in life that we are blessed to have. At First Citizens, we are thankful for all the wonderful friends, coworkers, customers, community members, and readers of this blog.
Giving thanks is good because reflecting on and expressing thanks for the good things in your life can give you a happiness boost. But how do you get into the swing of gratitude? Is it only at the Thanksgiving dinner table before you dig into the turkey and cranberry sauce or is it possible to keep this good feeling going all year long?
The idea behind making it a regular routine is that the more you do it, the more you will reap the benefits. Why not zero in on the good in your day rather than focusing on the stressors in your life. Here are 5 ideas to cultivate your gratitude:
- Write it down in a notebook or journal. Be specific about what you are thankful for and add as much detail as you can. You could start out with something very simple such as “I enjoyed a cup of delicious coffee today”.
- Talk about it. When you share what you are grateful for, it reinforces your feelings.
- Reflect on it. Take a few minutes during the day and focus on the spirit of thankfulness. Maybe it’s right away when you wake up in the morning, at mealtime, or right before you go to bed at night.
- Express it. Think of that person who made a difference in your life and tell them. Write a note, an email, or a text message letting them know what they mean to you.
- Seek it. Spend time with people who radiate gratitude. Some people bubble over with enthusiasm and gratitude for life. Try to have that special spark!
There truly is power in giving thanks. It can help you experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion, and even strengthen your immune system. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you can incorporate gratitude into your life every day. Can you think of something right now that you are grateful for?
November 19, 2018 by First Citizens Bank
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