The secret to a happy holiday season
While the holidays should be all about family, friends, faith and fun, sometimes the stresses of the season can bring a person down. It can be tough to get through this time of year, but we’ve got a secret for keeping the holidays truly happy – and it all starts with gratitude.
Did you know that science has proven that people who practice gratitude daily sleep longer, deeper and better, have lower stress levels, and stronger immune systems? If you’re going to commit to just one new thing this holiday season, practicing gratitude both mindfully and actively during the holidays is the way to go.
We know this can sound a little woo-woo, but really, it’s quite practical. That’s why we’ve rounded up some easy ways to get started:
ACTIVELY PRACTICING GRATITUDE
Showing gratitude by actively supporting the people and community you live in is a great way to add some balance to holidays, especially when things start to feel overwhelming.
- Support local charities by donating goods or volunteering your time.
- The Downtown Soup Kitchen Hope Center is in need of donations of blankets, warm clothing, underwear etc. as well as volunteers.
- Chugiak Eagle River Food Pantry requests food and personal items.
- Start a family tradition of assembling “blessing bags” filled with toiletries, snacks, Chapstick, gloves, toys, etc. Keep them in your car and hand them out whenever you see someone who might need a hand.
- Little things count too: Open the door for someone, pay for the coffee for the next person in line behind you, let someone ahead of you in line.
- Write a personal, handwritten note to someone expressing why you like, admire or are grateful for them.
MINDFULLY PRACTICING GRATITUDE
One of the best ways to mindfully practice gratitude is to start a gratitude journal. Get started with a notebook, stationery, or pretty much anything easy to write on. Keep your journal in your purse, briefcase, or even on your nightstand. If you like technology, there are even apps for journaling.
Get started by writing about just one thing. Keep it simple. Pick one thing each day to write about that you are thankful for. A few sentences or a paragraph is enough. Remember this should be a peaceful, uplifting exercise, not just another chore to add to your list.
Write as often as you can, even when you’ve when a bad day. If you aren’t grateful for something that day, reflect and find something in the past. For those who are afraid of “writer’s block,” here are a few prompts to inspire your writing. You can write about…
- Someone who affected you in a positive way
- A skill or talent you are grateful for
- Something new you learned
- A beautiful you saw or experienced
- Basic needs you don’t have to worry about (food, shelter, clothing)
- Something you, your child, or partner accomplished
- A way you were able to help someone out or make them smile
For our own message of gratitude, we wanted to share how lucky we feel with the wonderful clients and friends we’re blessed with in this community. And we hope these ideas inspire you to add even more happy to your holidays through the gifts of gratitude.
