Do Not Read Until Thanksgiving

I’m writing you from the ‘Windy City’ Chicago and wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving today.

Thanksgiving brings back memories of my Dad’s infamous stuffing… watching da bears… and trying to convince my little sister that a 6-legged Turducken (chicken, duck, turkey combination) is a real animal.

(I know… it’s cruel to tease siblings)

Anyway, before I start feeling like a stuffed turkey, here’s a quick message:

While THANKS-giving… appreciation… and gratitude are important today… there are too many people who make it exclusive to today.

Here are 7 Turkey-Sized Reasons to Practice Gratitude ALL Year:

1) Better Sleep: According to a 2011 study in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, spending 15 minutes in gratitude allows you to get a better nights rest and sleep longer. 

2) Less Aches and Pains: According to a study published in Personality and Individual Difference, grateful people have less aches and pains.
 
3) Boosts Self-Esteem: The Journal of Applied Sports Psychology found that athletes’ self-esteem increased when they were more grateful. 

4) Decreased Depression: Dr. Robert A. Emmon’s research found gratitude only increases happiness but decreases depression as well. Works by boosting the neurotransmitter serotonin. 

5) Decreases Negative Emotions: According to a study by the University of Kentucky, gratitude decreases anger, aggression, and increases feelings of empathy – even when others have done you wrong. 

6) Increases Self-Control: Subjects who increased gratitude by 33% doubled their financial self-control compared to those who didn’t. This spilled over into happiness, grades, and relationships as well. 

7) Increases Motivation: Research by University of Toronto found that those who practiced gratitude were more driven and compelled by future goalsPlus, here’s one last tasty reason:

Harvard professor Ben Hal Shahar, said “To ‘appreciate’ means to recognize the value of something and also to increase its value.” Just like increasing the value of an investment.

Meaning: When you appreciate something you are INCREASING the value of it.

When you appreciate your warm bed, you are increasing its “value”.
When you appreciate your job, you are increasing its “value.”
When you appreciate the little things in your life, you are increasing their “value”.
 
My challenge for you, make it EVERY DAY.
Don’t make gratitude an event, make it a ritual.
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Happy Thanksgiving,
Kelan Ern
The Renegade Life Coach