To me, Thanksgiving has always been a special holiday because its purpose and simplicity appeal.
Gratitude is the attitude of this holiday, and that’s especially meaningful to me, since I focus so much in my life and work on the physical and spiritual benefits of being thankful for the things we do have. Celebrating a joyful Thanksgiving allows us to show gratitude to the people we love. And then there is the feast.
Don’t Wait for the Holiday to Give Thanks
Start each day from a place of peace, with some light stretches, deep breathing “I am” on the inhale then “grateful” on the exhale. End the meditation with saying or thinking about what you are grateful for.
Here are some more tips and tricks to help you keep calm, carry on, and stay in the attitude of gratitude all day long:
Keep a Journal to Keep Calm
Grab a journal and start writing! I am not telling you that have to scribble pages and pages of your deepest thoughts. What I am suggesting is that you write down everything you are grateful for, and why. Fill up that love tank!
Make separate categories: you-time, career, partnership, family, and friends. Write it all out and spread the love to start your morning in a grateful way. You’ll glide serenely through the rest of your day.
Be Grateful for You
Part of the attitude of gratitude is being thankful for yourself and being your own best friend. During the holiday season, it’s more than common to run ourselves totally ragged thinking of others, saying yes to everything and not realizing where all of our time went. It happens every year. Saying yes to parties, throwing parties, sending cards, giving, giving, giving.
This year, make the mindful shift to choose caring for yourself first on Thanksgiving, and avoid the stress trap of trying to be the best-est hostess with the most-est ever. When you practice some gratitude filled self-care for you, you will have better more positive energy to give to those you love on the holiday. Here are some ideas: start a meditation practice, add five more minutes to your existing practice, get sweaty during a yoga class, sit in a sauna. Make room for you. Simply look in the mirror and pick out seven things you love about yourself. When you are calm and cool, you can better arm yourself for sometimes not so easy family dynamics.
Fill Your Body with the Good Stuff
Nourish yourself with the good stuff first. This day can get a little cray-cray when it comes to the feast, and sometimes at the end of it we can feel like we are in a food coma. Choose to set yourself up for success and start your day with a big boost of alkalinity to give your body the charge it needs. Have a green juice, a big green smoothie, a shot of wheatgrass, or a glass of warm water with a big squeeze of lemon juice. Your body will thank you later.
We all like to go nuts on this holiday, but keep it sane and healthy by having a goal of filling 75 percent of your plate with greens, other plain veggies, and a little lean white-meat turkey so that you’ve left just enough (but not too much!) space left for the “luxury” items—stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a sweet treat. Fill up on the good stuff so you won’t crave as much of the not so good stuff.
Build Memories You Will Treasure
When you are gathered for your feast with family and friends, take a moment to take in your surroundings and really take everyone you are within. Consider telling them what you are grateful for, or at the very least think one thing you love about that person. This will squash some family negative dynamics right away, and leaving you with true feelings of “thanks-giving,” long after the holiday has ended.
Here’s to a happy and love filled Thanksgiving!
