Thanksgiving is a very special day for me and my family. Every Thanksgiving, we get together and go around the table expressing what we are grateful for the year. It is truly an emotional moment for me. Well, I am a crier, and even though tears come out easy for me, it means so much to me to express what I’m thankful for and to hear the same from my loved ones.
As I am preparing my gratitude list for this year, as well as everything else for our Thanksgiving dinner, I wanted to share with you 6 important aspects of gratitude:
6 Important Aspects of Gratitude
It keeps you positive. Thinking about what you are thankful for helps acknowledge what is good in your life. No matter how bad things are, there are always a few things one can be thankful for. Yes, some years are easier than others, depending on the outcomes. Sometimes one needs to look for very simple things, like being able to breathe, waking up every morning, and eyesight. No matter how simple the things on your gratitude list are, they can make a huge impact on your outlook of life.
It reduces negative feelings. Gratitude is a great tool to overcome anxiety, depression, and anger. If one is positive, it is difficult for these emotional states to stick for long.
It helps you cope better. If you are guarded against negative feelings, chances are that you will deal with any curve ball life throws at you.
It helps increase self-esteem. If you are coping, having less negative feelings, the direct result is better self-esteem. Gratitude also helps decrease any thoughts related to helplessness and hopelessness, because with gratitude, even when facing a problem, one can find something to be thankful for.
It helps improve relationships. Positive people attract people. With so much negativity in the world, positive people become an emotional safe haven for others. In relationships, gratitude is also a tool to identify what our loved ones do for us. So if you are grateful for a loved one’s actions this Thanksgiving, make sure to tell them. It can only strengthen your relationship.
It keeps you healthy. It is believed that people that practice gratitude, have better health. Lower blood pressure, better immune system, better digestion, amongst others. When one is stressed and worried due to negative thoughts, the body feels at risk and all systems get in distress, almost like fighting a disease. Being grateful helps the body perceive one is safe.
My gratitude list is wonderful this year and I can’t wait to share it with my family tomorrow. I am grateful you are reading this.
I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Your Therapy Friend,
Sofia
Sofia Robirosa is the owner of Infinite Therapeutic Services and is a Relationships & Parenting Expert. She offers individual, couples, and family counseling to individuals seeking to enhance their relationships, in her private practice, located in Plantation, FL. She attended Nova Southeastern University for both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and in Business Administration. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Leader in Active Parenting for children and teens, an evidenced based program. She is also a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She is a passionately committed therapist, who thoroughly takes pride and joy from her job. She enjoys working with a culturally diverse population and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and an active volunteer of the Broward Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She loves her family, which consists of her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Some of her interests outside of work include spending time outdoors, traveling, and dining. Read more about her at: www.infinitetherapeuticservices.com and follow her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/infinitetherapy/