Relieve Stress by Giving Thanks

You will always have reasons to be stressed. That’s just the way life is. You may worry about your finances, health, or family members. You might be anxious about the state of affairs in the nation or fret about global issues. Even when times are relatively good, many of us have a tendency to fuss about the little things (being late for an appointment, getting a less-than-perfect haircut, etc., etc.). But, here’s the thing: Worrying doesn’t solve anything.

In fact, fretting over things can exacerbate them or, at the very least, cause you undue stress. While a little bit of stress in your life can serve as motivation, a lot of stress can cause tension headaches, unhealthy eating habits, or long-term health issues. It can even lead to poor decision-making.

But how do you stopping worrying about every little thing?

One of the best solutions I’ve found is to shift your focus from the things that are bad in your life, to the things that are good. Though it may sound like a simple practice, giving thanks is actually a highly effective tool that can be used to improve your life in many ways. Studies on gratitude have shown that it can improve mental and physical health, aid in forming new relationships, and help you get a better night’s sleep. Though practicing gratitude is not a catch-all solution, it can certainly move the needle in the right direction.

With Thanksgiving approaching, you might naturally gravitate toward gratitude. This is the time of year, after all, when you’re supposed to count your blessings and show your appreciate for your food, shelter, and family members (no matter how much they might get on your nerves!). But after Thanksgiving, gratitude seems to fall off the radar. In fact, with Black Friday prompting people to buy, buy, buy, gratitude can quickly disappear.

How can you capture the spirit of Thanksgiving throughout the year?

Practice making it a daily habit. Instead of waking up each morning, wishing you had the day off, try focusing on the positive. What can you be immediately grateful for in the morning? Do you have enough to eat for breakfast? Did you have a good night’s sleep? Are you feeling relatively healthy? Did your house or apartment keep you warm and dry? Starting your day off on the right foot is KEY for living a gratitude-filled life.

As you go throughout your day, pay attention to your thoughts. Do you tend to drift toward pessimism? Do you get easily derailed by frustrating co-workers, projects, or children who won’t behave? Sometimes, it’s important to step away for a few moments, take a deep breath, and turn your frustrations into positivity.

Were your co-workers constantly interrupting each other during your last Zoom meeting? Well, at least they care. Maybe next time, you can help channel some of that energy into productivity!

Do you have a mound of projects that require your attention? At least you’re employed! Though it can be stressful to have a lot on your plate, be thankful that your talents are in demand (and then, perhaps, think about how you can decrease your work load!).

Are your children driving you up the wall with their requests/complaints/excess energy? Take a deep breath and remember how much you love and appreciate them and, even if they don’t always show it, remember how much they love you.

If you look for reasons to be grateful throughout the day, I guarantee that you’ll find them. You may even want to close the day by journaling in a gratitude notebook. List three things from your day for which you are grateful. If you end your day on a high note, hopefully you’ll rest easy, knowing that your life is brimming with blessings. No matter how rough things get, there are always many reasons to be thankful.