10 Things to Be Very Grateful For This Thanksgiving
Life can be tough and hectic, so sometimes it’s easy to forget about what we are thankful for. It’s a time to think about the things that matter most to us. Here’s a list of simple things that we should be very grateful for, no matter who we are.
Gratitude has great benefits for overall health. Making lists, thinking about it, or counting our blessings can help us focus on the positive. Check out this list and add a couple of gratitudes specific to you!
Reasons to Count Your Blessings
Gratitude reminds us that even though life can be tough, there are still things in it we can be thankful for. Negative events may occur, but our minds can process them and be reminded that there is sun at the end of the darkest nights.
Listing out your gratitude can also give you hope for better things to come your way. You may also think that your situation is not as bad as it could be. Plus, it can reduce stress, which can be a reason inflammation and chronic illness occur in the body. Gratitude reminds you to take note of the little things.
10 Things to Be Very Grateful For This Thanksgiving
Here are 10 simple things to be very grateful for this Thanksgiving. When we start noticing the little things in life and counting our blessings, we start looking forward to what lies ahead.
1. Comfort in Your Space
No matter where you are, a rented apartment, a house, or a college dorm, you can take a moment to be grateful for having a space that is your own. So many of us spend our lives looking for the next big thing that we forget that home is where the heart lives. Home can be where you feel comfortable, safe, and secure.
2. The Weather
Rain or shine, you can take a moment to appreciate the weather. For example, in California, rain can be a blessing after a drought, but you may not appreciate it if you’re in rainy Seattle. Enjoy the rain, even if you see it every day. Regardless of the weather, appreciate the light, the clouds, the rain, and the wind. Enjoy the day for what it is.
3. A Goodnight’s Sleep
Rest is a commodity that is sometimes hard to come by. Give thanks for a time when you got a really deep sleep that left you feeling rejuvenated and energized. Maybe it was after a particularly hard school project, after a sporting activity, or after a long day’s work.
4. A Hot Shower
While cold showers can have cool benefits (pun intended), there’s nothing like taking a warm shower to warm the soul. Give thanks for the fact that you have hot water, running water, any kind of water really! Appreciate the thing that allows you to live, wash, and thrive.
5. Happy Memories
Happiness can be elusive when we focus on the negative or remember past regrets. Instead, try to be very grateful for all the good times you’ve had. Maybe you enjoyed a trip you took over the summer or maybe your birthday was a real fun time. Appreciate good times and reminisce with fondness.
6. Nature
Nature has a lot to offer us. Even a short 10-minute walk in nature has been proven to boost mood exponentially. Give thanks and appreciate the beauty of nature. Hug a tree, pat your house plant, or give thanks to your herbs for giving you flavorful meals. It can even be as simple as appreciating a branch that gives you shade or a cloud that makes you smile.
7. Time with Loved Ones
Any time with loved ones, whether it be friends, family, or significant others, is time we’ll spend. Feel thankful that you get to enjoy the company of others, and appreciate them while they are there. Life goes by quickly and someone you love may one day turn into someone you miss.
8. Your Health
Give a bit of thanks for your health. Even if you aren’t where you want to be, appreciate the parts of you that are and be hopeful about the future. Focus on the positive of yourself and take each day one at a time.
9. Upcoming Holidays
Look forward to the holidays this December like my birthday! Or Christmas, Hanukkah, new years, etc! There will be more good times in the future and you can start appreciating and giving thanks to them now!
10. Nutrients
Take a moment to live thanks to the fact that you are able to eat, drink, and enjoy food. Some may have more, and some may have less, but the important thing is to concentrate on yourself and what you have. Appreciate the nutrients that you put into your body that in turn repair you and help you to thrive. Wellness comes from within!
How to Practice GRatitude More Often
Here are some simple tips to help you practice gratitude much more often and make it a habit today!
- Journal with them – write down things you are grateful for every day.
- Morning thankfulness – try to come up with 3 things you are grateful for every morning before you get out of bed.
- Place it everywhere – write gratitudes on post-it notes and stick them in places you’ll see and remember them.
- Say them out loud – say your gratitude out loud. Remember to take time to feel true appreciation for the thing you are giving thanks for.
The Takeaway
There are many things we can be very grateful for this Thanksgiving season. Simple things and stuff we take for granted can be appreciated and celebrated fully! Take a look at this list and add your own personalized appreciation too!
Remember health comes from within, so eat well, exercise when you can, and take care of your mental health, always. Good habits are the building blocks needed for emotional, mental, and physical health. Take care of your gut health too! Learn everything you need to know about gut microbiota today for free here.
