Most of us are about to indulge in our national day of thanks, known as “Thanksgiving.”
That could very well mean an approximately 4500-calorie food coma for some, and for most of us the first of the upcoming holiday trifecta with Christmas and New Years also to navigate. The reality is that Covid-19 will still be very much in the picture This means—sadly but wisely—fewer family and friends than usual when we gather together.
2020 has been a very long and sobering year for all of us, and to be thankful might feel like one more of those “Things I am supposed to do.” YOU’RE KIDDING RIGHT? I don’t mean to shout, but I”m just hanging on here and so want to get back to normal!. Grateful? Gimme a break! Please—give me something tangible!
So, yes, my life and yours have been transformed by the pandemic; and for many the challenges have been almost overwhelming. I fervently hope for relief in the form of solutions to immediate needs such as shelter, health care, child support, and regular income. In addition, the pandemic has brought on prolonged stress, a part of which is now weathering the absolute need for different kinds of holiday settings without the usual relatives and friends.
Under these difficult circumstances, to be grateful may seem an unreal approach, a fantasy, even. However, I’m here to propose that the act of “being grateful” could be just the tonic we all need, and not only to your health and peace of mind. This mindset could in fact open doors to practical answers you’ve been seeking to pressing issues.
One thing I’ve learned in the fitness world is that when people feel “less than,” or “overwhelmed,” or in a “state of survival,” the act of being grateful can be a far-away reach. In similar ways, so can the quest for fitness. But can this “state of being” be the key to both fitness and and mental health? I believe the answer is yes and it lies in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that helps people set and achieve goals.
So, how does this work? Does hard science back up the concept of a grateful state of being? Well, yes, it does! Studies show that the brain’s prefrontal cortex can actually re-wire the grooves in the brain, improve serotonin and dopamine levels, and in doing so help reject negativity and embrace gratefulness.
Denise’s
2 Cents:
Covid-19 has hit all of us hard, even if you do not know anyone who is sick, or has been sick. The impacts of the damage are far reaching—throughout politics, class structures in society, our socialization patterns, and in the ways we get fit.
How can my grateful state of mind bring about changes? Well, to my way of thinking, it’s the only way I/we can really change things for ourselves and others.
Here are some simple ways to focus on gratitude:
1.) Focus on what you do have, instead of what you don’t have.
2.) Open the door for a stranger. Helping others can be a way out of your negativity.
3.) Celebrate minor accomplishments. Really. All the little ones.
4.) Keep a daily gratitude list and fitness log. It’s an easy and proactive discipline. People want to believe that exercise can be transformative, and it definitely can be. For many us, simply moving more—maybe a lot more—can lift our moods and shift our mind-sets, making gratitude easier to embrace. By all means, try this approach!