People associate the month of November with many things: family, turkey, fall, football, and of course, Thanksgiving! But what about the idea of thankfulness? Sure the holiday is called Thanksgiving, but how many of us truly embrace thankfulness in celebration of the holiday? It seems today, we are more focused on the problems of the world and our own personal problems instead of being thankful for the positive things in our lives. The simple concept of thankfulness can actually improve your life in many ways.
1. Being Thankful is Contagious
Showing thankfulness to others is contagious and yields many other benefits. The simple gesture of saying thank you to a customer, a family member, or a stranger can yield a smile, enhance a relationship, and even build mutual respect. Enhanced relationships and mutual respect can be particularly helpful when advancing your career and business goals. As humans, we all like to be appreciated for who we are and what we do.
2. Appreciating the Little Things Offers Big Rewards
When we’re being routinely bombarded with negative news locally, nationally, and globally, it can be easy to lose sight of what’s important. It’s a fact that no matter how much we earn, how many awards we receive, or how much stuff we have, that at the end of life people value most the lives they’ve touched and the love they’ve shared. Knowing this can be a wake-up call for many of us who find ourselves routinely stressed to do more, be more, and get more. Instead, take time each day to appreciate the little things. Did you help someone to smile? Were you gracious in traffic? Did you tell someone you loved them? At the end of the day, noting down at least five things you appreciated that day can be a huge mood booster and a nice way to lie your head down on a pillow for a restful sleep.
3. Being Happy Means Being Healthy
The adage, “When the mind is troubled, the body pays” is true. Studies have shown that our mental state of mind is highly correlated to our physical state of wellbeing. Routine stress triggers chemical reactions in the body that can lead to all kinds of chronic health problems. This is why mindfulness is becoming such an important and widely discussed concept. Being mindful simply means taking the time to check in with yourself frequently to make sure that you are proactively choosing how you live your life and not having your life dictated for you. Happiness leads to higher energy levels, improves your immune system, and helps to stave off disease. Data actually supports that very happy people are 22% less likely to develop heart disease than those who are less happy.
As the holiday season approaches, choose to be thankful. You will likely find that you are happier, healthier, and enjoying many more rewarding relationships both in your personal life and your work.