An Attitude of Gratitude this Thanksgiving

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is upon us! This week, untold millions of Americans will gather with friends and family to give thanks for all they have.

This time of year, I’m reminded of some simple advice I received from a friend of mine some 25 years ago: that we all ought to have an attitude of gratitude.

At the time, in my late 20s, I wasn’t grateful for much. I was a Silicon Valley techie type, a hired gun consultant grinding out code on a keyboard for cash for whoever would pay me the most. Although I was unaware of it at the time, I had what you’d call a scarcity mindset.

I was focused more on the things that I lacked, rather than what I had. I would compare myself to others quite a bit – and comparison is the thief of joy. I was focused on short-term wins rather building a rich and full life over the long-term.

By that time in my life, I’d already traveled to most of the 50+ countries I have visited today. I’d already seen how people live in much of the world – the good, and the “bad.” I’d been to places with “extreme” climates which are keep people inside most of the days throughout the year. I’d seen shanties stretching for miles and witnessed no small number of kids – even toddlers – begging on the streets.

This suggestion – made casually, almost in passing – that I maintain an attitude of gratitude was perhaps the first time in my life that I’d really paused for a beat to think, wait a minute, I’ve actually got it pretty good.

But there was more to it than that. For some reason, that simple phrase resonated in me, and I started looking into gratitude. Turns out, there are good reasons for everyone to be grateful – regardless of circumstance. A lot of academic research (google it, you might be surprised!) has been done on the science of gratitude, and here’s some of the benefits that a sense of gratitude are known to bring:

Grateful people tend to experience higher levels of positive emotions and greater overall happiness. Studies show that gratitude practices, such as writing in a gratitude journal, can boost well-being by 10% or more.

Gratitude can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. By focusing on positive aspects of life, people can reframe negative experiences and shift toward optimism.

Grateful individuals are better equipped to handle stress and recover from setbacks. Gratitude encourages a focus on what is working well, fostering a sense of hope and control.

Gratitude helps individuals manage their emotions, making them less reactive to stressors and more capable of maintaining a balanced emotional state.

Studies indicate that practicing gratitude before bedtime—such as listing things you are thankful for—can improve sleep quality and duration by reducing intrusive, negative thoughts.

Gratitude has been linked to healthier heart rates and lower blood pressure, likely due to its stress-reducing effects.

Gratitude has been associated with stronger immune systems, potentially because it reduces chronic stress, which can suppress immunity.

Expressing gratitude can improve relationships by making others feel valued and appreciated. Research shows that people who regularly express gratitude to their partners feel closer and more satisfied in their relationships.

Gratitude fosters empathy and kindness, making individuals less likely to retaliate against others, even when provoked.

In workplace settings, gratitude boosts morale, encourages cooperation, and strengthens team cohesion.

Gratitude helps reduce stress and mental fatigue, freeing cognitive resources for more effective problem-solving and decision-making.

Simply put, gratitude is more than just a feel-good practice—it’s a scientifically backed approach to improving overall well-being. By actively cultivating gratitude, everyone can experience significant benefits across mental, physical, and social domains, leading to a more fulfilling and healthier life.

So this holiday season, when you gather with friends and family – or even if you’re away from all of them and will spend Thanksgiving eating takeout in a hotel room by yourself: I invite you to pause just for a moment and go beyond being thankful.

Consider taking it up a notch. Take a quick inventory of all that you have: your health, a roof over your head, that Hot Pocket® cooling in the microwave. It doesn’t matter what; we all have something, and being grateful for what we have will go a long way to helping us all live a better life.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family, and may you continue to be blessed with an abundant life.