The Gift of Thanksgiving: Part Two

Do you keep thank you  notes? I am a retired teacher and I still have a couple of thank you notes written by appreciative parents or students. Those notes were precious to me. Being appreciated and thanked is an energizing experience.

But even better than being the recipient of thanks is giving thanks. Why is it better?

I found a wonderful article, from The New York Times about gratitude and how to apply it not only to our thanksgiving holiday, but also to your life.

But even better than being the recipient of thanks is giving thanks. Why is it better?

I found from The New York Times about gratitude and how to apply it not only to our thanksgiving holiday, but also to your life.It is called "A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day".

Here are some quotes from that article.

“More than other emotion, gratitude is the emotion of friendship,” Dr. McCullough says. “It is part of a psychological system that causes people to raise their estimates of how much value they hold in the eyes of another person. Gratitude is what happens when someone does something that causes you to realize that you matter more to that person than you thought you did.”

I pose this question: can you be genuinely thankful, show real gratitude and be miserable at the same time?

"Showing gratitude, even when you don’t feel it, can inspire the emotions associated with thankfulness, and will facilitate good relationships. We can fake it until we feel it. That benefits everyone involved."


Just what are the benefits of being genuinely thankful, of seriously recalling on a regular basis what we are thankful for?

Here is an impressive list taken from Greater Good Magazine from UC Berkley.

Physical

• Stronger immune systems
• Less bothered by aches and pains
• Lower blood pressure
• Exercise more and take better care of their health
• Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking

Psychological

• Higher levels of positive emotions
• More alert, alive, and awake
• More joy and pleasure
• More optimism and happiness

Social
• More helpful, generous, and compassionate
• More forgiving
• More outgoing
• Feel less lonely and isolated

If you don't believe this, try it and see!

Next time I would like take one more stab at convincing you that thankfulness may be worth adding to your list of depression coping strategies. If you don't already have a list of depression strategies it is time to make one. Put it on your fridge your bathroom mirror for
a reminder. 

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How are you feeling today? Are you feeling thankful? Could you think of some things or people to be thankful for right now?

Don't give up! There is hope for depression.