*this post is part of the workshop series Your Holiday Game Plan

In this week of Thanksgiving, I thought it was appropriate to focus on Attitude. If you remember, our ultimate health goal is to be L.E.A.N. We achieve wellness by keeping the four pillars of health in balance: Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude and Nutrition.

A couple of weeks ago we defined Attitude as things like: positive thinking, meditation, prayer, and gratitude. I have struggled with my own attitude over the past couple weeks. It has been dark by 5pm each day, Jason & I are researching new schools for our kids next year, our holiday calendar already seems too full, and I have a very slow healing hip injury which is preventing me from exercise. If a list of woes every deserved the hashtag #firstworldproblems, this is it. I know.

There are many, many studies that scientifically prove that a positive attitude is good for our health. In a Harvard University study called Positive Psychology: Harnessing the Power of Happiness, Personal Strength, and Mindfulness, Harvard faculty explore both time-tested and modern avenues to happiness, one of which is expressing gratitude on a daily basis.
Here are a few ways to develop a grateful attitude:

• Keep a gratitude journal and record things you are thankful for each day.
• Write notes to friend and family expressing your thanks for things they have done.
• Cook a meal for a neighborhood family or volunteer your time at a food bank or shelter.
• Take time to thank the cashier, teller, or other customer service representative that helped you.
• Reflect on happy times regularly. Remembering the good times give hope that tomorrow will be better.

Contact me for advice on how to implement some of these practices in to your daily life. I also plan on checking out a book by Dr. Robert A. Emmons called Gratitude Works!.

Wishing you a wonderful, positive and grateful Thanksgiving!
Amy