The holidays arrive for most of us with a feeling that is not unlike falling into a cold lake: shock.  Then, upon being shocked we hastily attempt to get everything done in a manic fury that resembles one part tornado and one part tasmanian devil.  What’s left is a tired, stressed, overstretched zombie, who finds themselves just wanting the holidays to be over.

Does this sound like a familiar tale? What if this year could be different? Here’s the thing: it can be different and it isn’t hard to do.  It won’t cost you any money and really not all that much effort.  Here is the plan: we’re going to change our focus.  The change will be a transition from focusing on tasks and stress to gratitude.  Dr. Robert Emmons, of UC-Davis, is one of the world’s foremost researchers on the topic and defines gratitude as: “…an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.”  So that’s it.  We want to change our focus from the “have-to’s” , stress, and negatives to the good things around us. It’s a small but profound shift.  Focusing on what is good in our lives and being thankful for these things can have dramatic effects.

Here is a sampling of benefits that researchers have discovered to have connections to an individual’s level of gratitude:  increased patience, improved sleep, decreased depression, stops overeating, increases self care (exercise, healthy eating, etc), improves/creates relationships, helps self esteem, increases mental strength, improve overall physical/psychological health, enhances empathy, and reduces aggression. Whew! That’s a list.  Who doesn’t want to be a healthier, happier, and more resilient person!? I know I do.  That’s a person built to survive the holidays, but moreover thrive in all aspects of lives.

So how do you do it? There’s many ways, but the aforementioned Dr. Emmons’ research revealed a simple and effective method.  Keep a journal.  More specifically, keep a gratitude journal.  In Emmons’ research, it was found that folks who wrote down three things they were thankful for each morning for three weeks, received the benefits formerly listed.  It was that simple.  It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy or hard. You can keep it simple, just think of the things in your life that are good. This is astounding because you simply need to grab a notebook and spend a few minutes per day, to potentially change your life dramatically.

There is no better time to start than the present.  This holiday season you don’t have to be stressed out zombie you, but healthier and happier you.  Author William Arthur Ward gave us the following quote: “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessing.” Don’t let another day pass without becoming the best version of yourself, with a focus on all that is good in your life; thankful, happy, and healthy.  Happy holidays to you all!