The holiday season is famous for a few things in America: Thanksgiving turkey, Black Friday shopping, and grateful challenges. The latter fills social media with hashtags about family and friends, jobs that keep our bank accounts afloat, good health, and food to eat.
It’s “in” to be grateful, especially during Thanksgiving, but did you know that being grateful has hidden health benefits that make it more than just another thing to share on Facebook? Being grateful for what you have can significantly improve your mental health. Call 833.551.2304 to speak with someone from our caring and compassionate team in Florida about the benefits of being grateful and our mental health treatment programs at Gulf Breeze Recovery.
5 Benefits of Being Grateful for What You Have
Taking a few minutes out of every day to think about your blessings can lead to the following:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Increased dopamine sensitivity to help reduce pain and inflammation in the body
- A strengthened immune system so that you’re less susceptible to illnesses
- A boost in positive emotions
- Feeling more alert, alive, and optimistic
All of this, in turn, can help you feel more generous and giving to others, less lonely, and more compassionate for others. That’s a staggering list of benefits for something with no adverse side effects that takes minimal effort and time out of your day.
How to Practice Being Grateful
However, making gratitude a habit can still easily slide to the back burner during the fast-paced frenzy of life. Here are a few easy ideas to help make gratitude a new habit that is easy to keep.
Morning Wake Up Check-In
Having a moment of quiet before the chaos of day breaks gives you time to remember nice things from the day before or what you’re looking forward to coming up. When your morning routine begins in earnest, you are most likely rested, relaxed, and optimistic about the day.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
This doesn’t have to be a daunting project! Grab a plain notebook, and every day take a few minutes to jot down a few things you appreciated throughout your day. You can do this all at once or throughout the day, in the morning to start the day or in the evening to wind down.
Make It a Part of the Discussion
Eating dinner together is an integral part of a healthy family life, so every night at dinner, ask the family to list something they are grateful for that day and take turns sharing. If you’re with friends, take the time to tell them something you are grateful for about them, and ask them what they are feeling good about in their life, too.
Get Creative with It
Feeling artistic? Paint isn’t just for grade schoolers. You don’t have to be a professional to paint something that expresses your feelings, whether you’re a realist like Rockwell or an impressionist like Van Gogh.
Pen a Letter to Someone Important
Make your day as well as theirs! Who doesn’t love getting something other than bills and political ads? Write a letter to a friend, family member, or someone you admire to let them know you were thinking about them, and go ahead and tell them something about them that you are grateful for at the moment. Or get a little personal and write one to yourself, whether in the past, future or present.
Find Mental Health Treatment in Florida at Gulf Breeze Recovery
You may benefit from mental health treatment if you find it hard to be grateful for what you have. At Gulf Breeze Recovery, clients undergo a transformational process that leads to a happier perception of how life is experienced. Contact Gulf Breeze Recovery today at 833.551.2304 to learn more about our mental health treatment programs and services in Florida.
