Finding Gratitude & Balance

Can being grateful really affect your health? Turns out it can. 

The holidays are a time of anticipation and celebration, but they can also be exhausting and quite stressful. Between the food preparation, managing emotions, social commitments and relatives (both good and bad), who wouldn’t feel strained and off balance?  

Throughout the stresses of the season, expressing gratitude and making a mindful effort to keep your life in balance can go a long way to helping you combat the holiday blues. 

#BeGrateful 

Research is showing that the practice of being actively grateful can benefit multiple areas of your life, including your emotions, social interactions, personality, career and overall health.  

The practice of expressing gratitude can provide specific benefits: 

> Enhancing long-term happiness  

> Increasing self-esteem  

> Improving recovery from mental or physical illnesses  

> Strengthening family relationships in times of stress  

> Making us more optimistic  

> Helping us find meaning in our work  

> Improving your overall physical health 

 

How to express gratitude  

WAKE UP AND BE GRATEFUL  

Make it a habit to step out of bed and think about what you are grateful for in the day to come. This can set the tone for the rest of your day.  

KEEP A PHOTO OR VIDEO DIARY  

Capture those everyday moments that bring you joy. Take it to the next level by creating a “Things I am Grateful For” folder so you can look through them when you’re having a rough day.  

POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA USING #GRATEFUL  

If you prefer to share your thankfulness with others, going to social media to share your thoughts can be a great practice. To get the most benefit, remember to be authentic and keep these posts to when you are truly wanting to thank someone or share a moment you are grateful for.  

SAY IT OUT LOUD  

Create a new tradition or bring back an old one by sharing your gratitude with friends or family. Say thanks before dinner or while running errands. Find a time that works for you and feels natural.  

It is important to remember that not only can we increase our own well-being by being grateful, but we can also increase the well-being of others by sharing our thanks with them.  
 

Find Balance 

Another way to survive the holiday season is to maintain balance in certain areas. To keep your holiday season a more balanced time of year, it can help to make sure you are paying equal attention to these five key areas of your life: 

Nutrition 
 

• Balance the holiday treats with foods you know keep your energy up and make you feel good. Don’t overconsume just because it’s the holidays. 
• Don’t feel guilty about what you do eat. Instead, focus on the experience and how it enriches your life. 

Movement 

• Stick to your exercise routine. Even if you reduce the time or intensity, stick to your schedule.   
• Find ways to get outside for some fresh air and unfiltered sunshine. 

Sleep 
 

• Keep your sleep and wake routine as normal as you can. 
• Don’t feel pressure to stay up later than you want to. 
   
  
• Recreation/Relaxation 

• Keep some free space in your calendar or schedule for down time to recharge between gatherings. 
• Don’t neglect your hobbies. Finding times of joy and play are phenomenal ways to counteract this stressful time of year. 
  

Connection 
 

• Be generous in your own way.  The act of giving to others can lead to a release in dopamine and endorphins, helping you feel happier and reducing the effects of stress. 
• Make realistic expectations when it comes to the gatherings you will participate in. 
  
  

If you find the holidays are becoming a bit much, take a moment to check in with yourself. It is likely that one of these areas is being neglected. Take a deep breath and honor yourself this holiday season by maintaining your boundaries and expressing gratitude in your own personal way.