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Gratitude can be one of the most healing dishes of your Thanksgiving meal. I have said this a million times, but it needs to be declared a billion more: STRESS is the #1 cause of ACID.
A quick, $0, anytime, and scientifically proven method of reducing stress is practicing gratitude. It’s also the REAL reason for Thanksgiving—a time of giving thanks. Yes, feasting and watching football is fun, but gratitude and thankfulness should take the spotlight. It’s also something to savor all year long.
3 Ways To Pile On Gratitude
Everyone gets a side of gratitude.
During the meal, go around the table and encourage each person (all ages) to say a few things they are grateful for. This practice can transform the conversation from small talk or hazardously arguing over politics to hugs, appreciation, happy tears, and meaningful connections. Stress floating away from the table will be palpable.
Love your mother—nature.
Before you feast, go hiking or walking around your neighborhood and pick up a few pieces of trash. This activity reduces stress in a cornucopia of ways—getting everyone outside, breathing fresh air, exercising, and doing something good for the environment. You can even sprinkle in mindfulness.
During the walk, take a moment to be present and fully connect with the outside world. Have everyone pick up a leaf and really notice it.
Touch, smell, and look at the intricate details. So often, we move through our world so fast that we never take time to slow down, release stress, and appreciate our magical world.
Give back as a family.
Getting outside your own world and giving back is a tangible way to release stress and practice gratitude.
Remind your family that giving is essential to Thanks-giving and every other day. It can be as simple as having each family member choose a few toys and clothes to donate to a homeless shelter or another non-profit.
Gratitude Is An Optional Health Practice
“The practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects in a person’s life,” said Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at UC Davis and a leading scientific expert on the science of gratitude. “It can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and facilitate more efficient sleep.”
I couldn’t agree more.
I also can guarantee that pairing gratitude and sleep together is one of the most effective and easy ways to reduce your stress drastically. When your body and brain get proper rest, they can better handle the adversities of life.
To biohack your way to a deep and rejuvenating sleep, check out my top sleep hacks. Acid-Kicking Magnesium is one of the main things I do to catch those ever-elusive Zs. It helps calm your nervous system, relax your muscles, and maintain your body’s GABA levels—neurotransmitters responsible for "turning off" wakefulness.
You no longer have to imagine what it would be like to sleep well every night—you can now CHOOSE it with Acid-Kicking Magnesium. It’s something I am grateful for every single morning.
