This past weekend wasn’t the usual Thanksgiving festivities. Let’s be honest not sure what “the usual” is these days. We were missing family and friends that we would “usually” see. There was a quiet and slowed pace. The advantage that I will give that is one gets time (if one so chooses) to be present in the quiet. For a weekend like Thanksgiving, it also gives opportunity to reflect on what one is grateful for…IF one so chooses. What I found is that like double unders or toes to bar or deadlifts, gratitude actually takes practice – and it’s not “the usual” that we like to actually practice things. We want “things” to just magically happen.
We all know that we “should be grateful” BUT….(and wow do we like using the “but”).
“I love my kids…but they drive me nuts.”
“My house is great…but a guest room would be nice.”
“Yes I lost 5 pounds…but I’m still 20 pounds from where I want to be.”
“A dishwasher is so nice…but my partner never actually puts the dishes in them” (oops…the internal monologue should stay internal).
Perhaps just sitting in the first half of our sentences would start to actually shift our mindset, our stress, anxiety levels, even improve sleep….
Ok so that seems like a stretch…or does it?
A friend of mine (outside of the fitness world) sent me a web page on the Reebok website that had research arguing just this. Some highlights:
- Gratitude blocks toxic emotion
- Gratitude lessens stress levels (lowers blood pressure and inflammation in the body)
- Those practicing gratitude were found to sleep longer and more soundly
- Athletes who felt gratitude had a more positive outlook on abilities to reach performance potential
- After 5 sessions of practicing gratitude people showed measurable improvements in stress and anxiety
Is the research accurate? I feel that if just one of those is accurate then it is well worth my time, before I close my eyes and drift off to sleep, to stop my sentences before I add, “….BUT (then COVID hit, I don’t have what I want, situation isn’t happening like it should).”
We often talk about creating healthier versions of ourselves with our sleeping, eating, moving and managing life. We all know deep down that being grateful impacts all of those things in a positive way – research or experientially. And here’s the beauty of being grateful: it is free and can happen in quarantine, out of quarantine, in your car, at your house, during a holiday season, outside of a holiday season. Perhaps what seems to be an unusual practice (I’m pretty sure I’m a professional complainer) could become the usual.
One minute – when you wake up or before you go to sleep – take one minute to say one bright spot, one glimmer of hope, one thing you are grateful for. I believe the more we practice, the harder it will be to stop after 1 one minute. And the better we will get as seeing the good in our lives.
Let me start….
CrossFit Never Doubt (I could stop there…BUT I’ll expound 🙂
The support of the staff – unmatched.
The support of the community we have – literally brought me to tears being overwhelmed by the notes and emails I have received (ask the coaches who showed me a video that was put together when we were shut down)
My family – unwavering love, even when I am grumpy and ungrateful
Your turn.