Being Thankful!

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