Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.
– John Henry Jowett
Gratitude: The state of being grateful; thankfulness
Thanks: Grateful feelings or thoughts; gratitude
Grateful: Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful
With November comes the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a holiday where we take time to reflect and give thanks. I encourage you to use the entire month of November to give thanks daily. Why engage in an attitude of gratitude? According to research sited on happylifu.com, “practicing gratitude may be the fastest single pathway to happiness, health, long life, and prosperity. In a remarkable study performed by Dr. Emmons, people who kept a gratitude journal for just 3 weeks measured 25% higher on life satisfaction after wards. They exercised more, drank alcohol less, and their families and friends noticed that they were nicer to be around. And the effects lasted for several months beyond the initial 3 week study. Other studies on gratitude are confirming these results. People who take the time to notice and appreciate the good things that come their way through grace, or luck, or the goodness of others are happier and more peaceful. They do better on cognitive tests and tests of problem solving skills. They practice healthier habits, have better relationships, are more optimistic and live longer.”
Creating an attitude of gratitude is not hard work but takes practice. Here are some suggestions on things that you can do to get you into the practice of gratitude:
- Keep a gratitude journal. In this journal you simply write at least one thing for which you were thankful for during the day. You do this daily. Even if you had a challenging day, find at least one thing for which you are thankful. (Here are some ideas for those challenging days … getting to and from work safely, good food, your dog, hot shower, clean clothes, warm house, your health, husband or wife or kids to hug … I could go on and on).
- “Like” the Attitude of Gratitude Project on facebook and receive gratitude posts on your facebook feed. https://www.facebook.com/aogp.org
- If you are not a writer, take some time daily to meditate on grace and thanks. Your meditation practice does not have to be formal or very long if you don’t want it to be. Just take a few minutes upon waking or before going to sleep to say thank you and create a space of grace in your world.
- At Well Beings, participate in the gratitude board each time you come for your chiropractic adjustment.
- Participate in our annual Pack the Pantry event. A state of gratitude often accompanies the act of giving.
We at Well Beings Chiropractic are thankful for YOU. Thank you for trusting us with your health. Thank you for helping us help others by sharing your chiropractic story with family and friends.
