Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks.
Yet sometimes, the stresses of a shortened week, changes to routines, and clashing personalities can leave us feeling anything but thankful.
If you find your patience running short this Thanksgiving day, try these tips:
- Make a gratitude list. There’s a reason gratitude is all the rage these days: it works! Writing down just five items once per week is scientifically-proven to increase your happiness by 10-25%!
- Pretend it’s the last day of your life. When confronted with our mortality, the little things that may annoy us don’t seem as important. If it were the last day of your life, would you really care about the sideways look someone gave you? Probably not. Focus on the positive, not the negative.
- Make a point to learn at least 3 new things about other people. Instead of watching the clock impatiently today, counting down until you can go home, sit back, relax and aim to learn about the people you are spending time with. Make it a game by aiming to learn 3 things about someone today. How? Try saying things like, “That’s interesting. Tell me more,” or “What is your all-time favorite Thanksgiving memory?” in your conversations.
- Consider how much you have. It took the first settlers 66 days by ship to get from England to the United States. Of the 102 original Mayflower passengers, only 44 survived; many died of scurvy and malnutrition during the first winter. And today, 80% of the world’s population lives on less than $10 a day. If you’re reading this, you probably have access to a phone or computer, heat and food. Considering it in this light makes it easier to enjoy Thanksgiving more!
There you have it – my 4 tips to help you enjoy Thanksgiving more!
Have a wonderful day! I am grateful for you!
Lauren
at (9 years ago)Fantastic tips!!