Good morning Deep Creek Family,
One
more week until Thanksgiving break-YES! We all know, and are aware, we need
this time off to share it with loved ones. With Thanksgiving right around the
corner it allows us reflect on what we are thankful for. I can honestly say,
you all, are one thing I am beyond thankful for. In the past few weeks, not
only myself, but you as well, have felt what it’s like to be stressed-whether
it be school, home, or in life. We all have those moments in our lives-but we
can’t let them define us. We all are strong in our own ways; we have to
overcome the obstacles and struggles in our paths through being thankful. I
recently read an article on the importance of being thankful and showing
gratitude. You would be shocked to hear that by having both, thankfulness and gratitude,
we can experience many health benefits. It states people that are grateful may
be more likely to:
- ·
take better care of themselves physically and mentally
- ·
engage in more protective health behaviors and maintenance
- ·
get more regular exercise
- ·
eat a healthier diet
- ·
have improved mental alertness
- ·
schedule regular physical examinations with their doctor
- ·
cope better with stress and daily challenges
- ·
feel happier and more optimistic
- ·
avoid problematic physical symptoms
- ·
have stronger immune systems
- ·
maintain a brighter view of the future
Who wouldn’t want all these benefits
in their life? Below are some simple steps to take so we can reap these health
benefits.
Focus Attention Outward
Your attitude plays a large role in determining whether you can
feel grateful in spite of life’s challenges. According to Emmons, gratitude is
defined by your attitude towards both the outside world and yourself. He
suggests that those who are more aware of the positives in their lives tend to
focus their attention outside of themselves.
Be Mindful of What You Have
You may assume that those with more material possessions have
more to be grateful for. However, research suggests otherwise. Edward
Diener, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, found that a high
percentage of affluent people in Japan report low levels of life satisfaction,
just as those living in poverty in India do. These findings suggest that it’s
not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have that makes the
difference.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Recording what you feel grateful for in a journal is a great way
to give thanks on a regular basis. Emmons found that those who listed five
things they felt grateful for in a weekly gratitude journal reported fewer
health problems and greater optimism than those who didn’t. A second study
suggests that daily writing led to a greater increase in gratitude than weekly
writing.
Reframe Situations as Positive
It’s not actually a challenging situation that is upsetting.
It’s how you perceive the situation. The next time you find yourself
complaining about life’s hassles, see if you can mentally “flip the switch” to
frame things differently. For example, rather than getting down about missing
an opportunity, try to see the positive side. You might now have more time to
direct towards other priorities.
With this being said, I wish you all a great week
before break. Enjoy your week off from work and take some time to relax. I can’t thank you enough for all that you do
for myself, and our school, you all are amazing Deep Creek Cub leaders!
Kristina
http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/giving-thanks#3
