Thanksgiving is only a few days away, which gives all of us a chance to evaluate our lives and everything we’re thankful for in them. As a plastic surgery office, we obviously deal a great deal with physical appearances. However, it’s important for our patients to remember that the physical is just one part of well-being, and that mental and emotional health are just as important as physical health to their overall happiness.
Do we really need a holiday to tell us to be more thankful for our lives? Probably not. But in today’s fast-paced world, it doesn’t hurt to have a reason to reflect (and also a couple of extra days off work to spend with family).
Being thankful for the things in your life and expressing that thankfulness to those around you benefits everyone involved. By showing your loved ones that you appreciate them, you obviously help them feel good about their importance in your life. But the very act of being grateful helps you as well, by making you see the positive side of things in your life and helping you be less stressed about the small, insignificant things we all worry about every day.
Thousands of years of literature discuss the benefits of being grateful. There is even some scientific research that points to the possibility that feeling grateful may help boost your immune system.
One important thing to consider is that gratitude should not only be relegated to Thanksgiving and a few other key times during the year. In fact, you may be surprised to find out about a popular method of practicing daily gratitude that’s recommended by mental health professionals—keeping a journal and listing three things you’re thankful for before going to sleep every night. This has been shown to not only improve quality of sleep, but to also improve overall levels of happiness.
So, be it this Thanksgiving or throughout the year, don’t forget the power of being grateful, both for your health and for that of those around you.
