Women Today

Today, guest blogger Brenda Vellisaris, an Appleton therapist, discusses how being grateful can lift your spirits:

Each year for Thanksgiving, before my family and I eat, we each take turns to share what we are grateful for. This has been an enjoyable tradition in our family for years.

Gratefulness is something that we spend time thinking about on Thanksgiving, but what about the rest of the year? Have you ever woke up and thought about what you are grateful for?

I encourage many people I counsel to begin each day by identifying what they are grateful for. They can either state their gratefulness out loud or write it down on an index card and carry it with them throughout the day. Some people choose to have a gratefulness journal.

I do this because our thoughts are very powerful, especially negative ones. One study I read found that it takes 50 positive thoughts to undo one negative thought. How crazy is that!

Negative thinking affects us mentally, emotionally and physically. It contributes to low self-esteem, depression, poor attitude and anxiousness. People around us can even feel the effects of our negative thinking, which in turn impacts our relationships.

To see the positive attributes of gratefulness, just Google the phrase “benefits of gratefulness.” You’ll find pages of information.

Another study I read, conducted at the University of California, found that after 10 weeks of documenting gratefulness the participants were 25 percent happier then people who didn’t document gratefulness. The people in this study also had improved health, slept better, and liked themselves more.

We can set a positive tone for the day by reminding ourselves that despite stress and struggles there still are wonderful things to be grateful for.

Identifying what we are grateful for can also help us counteract negative thinking. Use the following exercise to help: Throughout the day be cognizant of your thoughts. When a negative thought appears, stop and correct it by reflecting on what you are grateful for. Practice this often and over time the negative thoughts will lessen.

Even after the dinner is over this Thanksgiving, I urge you to continue the gratefulness practice throughout the rest of the year.

Thankfully yours,

Brenda
www.sariscounseling.com