How to Show Gratitude Over the Holidays
During this holiday season, everywhere you go there are signs, shirts, cards, home décor, etc. that write “grateful”, “thankful”, or “blessed”. The title of Thanksgiving says it all – be thankful for what you have. Shouldn’t we be grateful, thankful, and blessed all year long and not just because we are reminded during the holidays?
What does being “grateful” really mean? Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful, as well as, readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Simply put, gratitude is acknowledging and giving thanks to ourselves and others. Why is this so difficult to do? Many people struggle to recognize and express emotion for what they do have but yet it’s easy to note what they don’t have. This comparison often leads to opportunities for disappointment, envy, resentment, regret, and anxiety.
Over the years, there have been a variety of scientific studies to support “gratitude equals happiness”. Some people feel like in order to be thankful about an event, themselves, or life as a whole, they must first be happy but that is not the case. These studies have suggested that recognizing and showing gratitude strengthens one’s: self-worth, satisfaction, energy, positive emotions, optimism, empathy, and the ability to express more compassion and kindness to others.
There are many things to be thankful for in our lives such as the most basics of food and shelter, as well as family, friends, animals, careers, community, opportunities, etc. When we reflect on the things that make us feel good, we show appreciation, and thus this moment brings us happiness. Examples to show yourself gratitude may be:
Make a list of ways you’ve impressed yourself
Compliment yourself and truly be proud of that skill, talent, or accomplishment
Recognize your good health, your body and mind for their abilities
Take an inventory of acts of kindness you have shown to others and the world
When we really try to focus on gratitude, we let go of judgments, appreciating where we are rather than where we aren’t.
It is also important to show gratitude to others. We often do not share the appreciation toward others for the things they do for us emotionally and personally but are quick to acknowledge the things they do not do. Demonstrating gratitude is about recognizing not just what someone did or does for you but WHY it is important to you and HOW this makes you feel. Examples to show your friends, family, coworkers, or strangers gratitude may be:
Expressing to your friend how it makes you feel worthy that they took time out of their busy schedule to celebrate your birthday with you
Calling a friend to provide emotional support and encouragement; recognizing that they would do it for you
Telling your aunt how it made you feel important that she sent you a card
Thanking your mother for all of her support in helping you work through a personal problem
Leave a post-it-note on someone’s desk telling them how much you appreciate their positive attitude
Smile at the person on the elevator and ask them how their day is – not because you feel obligated but because you actually care to know
Ask a new coworker to eat lunch because you want to get to know them better
Say thank you to the sales associate for working to make it a quick and easy transaction
I encourage you to keep a gratitude journal. It doesn’t have to be anything major or time-consuming, but just jot down a few things or people that you are grateful for each night before bed. Explain, in detail, WHY you are grateful for that/them and HOW that adds to your life. Make a conscious effort to demonstrate your gratitude to others in your daily interactions. Take time out of your busy schedule to acknowledge and appreciate all that you have to be grateful, thankful, and blessed because this simple act can bring you happiness.
Allison Kidd, LMSW, LMAC
913-735-4056
allison.resolve@gmail.com
MORE BY ALLISON
