Practicing gratitude during the holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? But what if it doesn’t feel like it? 

If it’s any sort of consolation, Charlie Brown felt the same way; “I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.” 

I have found that Charlie Brown and I have similar struggles during the holiday season. We both put too much pressure on ourselves and our families: everything has to be perfect. The only thing I can feel during the holidays is joy and if I feel anything else I’m doing something wrong. Expecting everything to be perfect during the entire holiday season is an unfair expectation for everyone, so how do I change that? 

Practicing gratitude every day is a simple and effective way to feel better during the holidays.  According to Psychology Today, “developing an ‘attitude of gratitude’ is one of the simplest ways to improve your satisfaction with life.” A study by Emmons and McCullough in 2003 shows that journaling for five minutes every day about what we are grateful for brings our long-term happiness up by more than 10%. In other words, “those who pay attention to what is good in their life instead of what is bad are more likely to feel positive about their life.” The best part is, having a gratitude journal does more than improving your emotional wellbeing. 

Grateful people are more likely to be involved in self-care and therefore experience fewer body aches and pains. People who practice gratitude feel better because they take better care of themselves and other people. 

When people focus on the things they are grateful for, they are more sensitive and kind to other people, regardless of the way others behave. Consciously focusing on gratitude will reduce the number of negative emotions people experience, like anger or resentment. In other words, having a grateful attitude promotes a healthy body, a healthy mind and healthy long-term relationships.

While feeling gratitude is not a cure for seasonal blues or emotional slumps, counting your blessings can reduce stress and plays a role in overcoming hardships or trauma. By listing at least three things that you are grateful for at the end of every day, you give yourself the opportunity to improve your physical, emotional and mental health.

Emily White is a junior studying English and broadcast journalism. She is currently serving as the senior writer for the Lifestyles section of the Statesman.

—emily.white@usu.edu