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Prioritizing Gratitude


The holiday season is a time for family, friends, food… and just a bit of stress. Between the last-minute shopping, juggling schedules, and the great cranberry sauce debate (homemade or canned?), it’s easy to feel like you’re teetering on the edge of a festive meltdown. But amidst the chaos, there’s one thing that can help ground you and boost your mental health: gratitude.


November is the perfect time to focus on what you’re thankful for. And no, we’re not just talking about being grateful that the gravy didn’t burn this year. Practicing gratitude has real, tangible benefits for your mental health—so let’s dive into how you can embrace gratitude and stay sane during the holidays (even when Uncle John starts talking about his conspiracy theories again).



The Benefits of Gratitude

Research has shown that regularly practicing gratitude can improve mood, reduce stress, and even lead to better physical health. Gratitude helps shift your focus away from the negative and reminds you to appreciate the good things in your life, no matter how small. In the context of the holiday season, gratitude can help you stay calm when the family dynamic gets a little hectic.

  • Improved Mood: Feeling thankful naturally boosts your mood by releasing feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin.

  • Reduced Stress: When you focus on what’s going well, it helps keep those stress levels in check, even if the turkey is still frozen two hours before dinner. 

  • Better Relationships: Expressing gratitude strengthens connections with loved ones, even when Aunt Mary insists on bringing up the election at the dinner table. 


Gratitude in the Midst of Holiday Madness

So, how do you actually practice gratitude when you’re buried in holiday prep? Here are a few ways to sneak in some gratitude, even during the busiest time of the year:

  1. Start Your Day with Gratitude: Before you dive headfirst into making your famous twice baked potatoes, take a moment each morning to think of three things you’re grateful for. Bonus points if one of them is your morning cup of coffee that will fuel you through wrapping 50 gifts in one sitting.

  2. Gratitude on the Go: Stuck in traffic trying to get to the school concert or navigating holiday grocery shopping? Take a moment to practice “gratitude on the go.” Instead of stressing about the long lines, think of one thing you’re thankful for. It could be as simple as appreciating the decorations around you, or jamming to the song that’s playing in the car (it’s Mariah’s time to shine).

  3. Gratitude with Family: The holidays are a time for family, and let’s be honest—sometimes, that’s a lot. Take the opportunity to express gratitude for your loved ones, even if they drive you nuts. It could be thanking your partner for taking out the trash (even though it’s the first time in a month) or telling your kids how much you appreciate them cleaning up their rooms (even if you had to threaten to take away electronics if it wasn’t done by the end of the day). 

  4. Gratitude Before Bed: As you wind down each night, reflect on one or two positive moments from the day. Whether it’s the a great meal, or a funny moment at the dinner table, or even a compliment on those twice baked potato, these reflections can help you sleep better and wake up with a more positive mindset.


Thankfulness for the Little Things

Let’s be real: the holidays are SO overwhelming. Between organizing schedules, making sure everyone is fed (and accommodating every dietary restriction), and wondering why you agreed to host this year’s gathering, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. But it’s often the little things—those small moments of gratitude—that keep us grounded.


Did the pie burn? Sure. But hey, at least there’s ice cream. Did you forget the cranberry sauce? Maybe. But guess what? No one remembered to bring the rolls either! The holidays aren’t about perfection—they’re about the moments that bring a smile to your face, even if they come with a side of chaos.


Gratitude Beyond the Holidays

The great thing about gratitude is that you can carry it with you beyond the holiday season. While November might be a prime time to practice thankfulness, making it a regular part of your routine will benefit your mental health all year long.


After all, life is full of little moments to be grateful for—whether it’s your morning coffee, a hug from a loved one, or the fact that you made it through another family holiday without a complete meltdown.


This holiday season, take a deep breath, laugh at the mishaps, and embrace the chaos. The magic of the holidays isn’t in the perfect turkey or the flawless decorations—it’s in the shared laughter, the clumsy moments, and the gratitude for the people around you (even if they do insist on bringing up the election).


Happy holidays, and don’t forget to practice a little gratitude—you’ll be thankful you did.


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