The Thanksgiving holiday is special because it’s a day where friends and family come together to eat, to out-shout each other at the dinner table, and to watch football in a semi-inert state after the big meal.
Although it’s a truly American holiday, it has the special twist of ethnic twists in the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes menu (in fact, click here for a great multi-cultural “tasting”).
I also like to think of Thanksgiving as a day of gratitude. It’s a day to reflect and give thanks for the things that mean the most to you.
The health benefits of gratitude are well documented. Expressing gratitude reduces stress, makes you more calm, and can improve your immune system.
It can change your state in an instant. You can a reverse the ill effects of a stressful moment by thinking about two or three things for which you’re grateful. When you create an attitude of gratitude, you instantly improve your mental and physical health.
So in the midst of today’s “good” stress – entertaining guests, wondering if the turkey will be tender, figuring out how you can count the pie as zero calories – take a moment for gratitude. It will make an already wonderful day into an even better one.
Have a great holiday!
