Thanks! How Gratitude Can Make You Happier

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“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
— Melody Beattie

Namaste Yogis and Yoginis,

Although Thanksgiving dinner may be a calorie counter's nightmare, a stage for family drama, and the hyper-launch into winter holiday planning, the practice of gratitude can make a tremendous impact on our hearts, minds and health.

When observed daily, thankfulness is linked to many physiological and psychological benefits. Scientifically speaking, regular grateful thinking can increase happiness by as much as 25 percent, and keeping a gratitude journal for as little as three weeks results in better sleep and more energy.  

Research has also shown frequently practicing gratitude improves overall general health and immunity, lowers depression and anxiety, and stimulates kinder behavior towards others (and our selves!). It has also been shown to correspond to one's happiness and long-term satisfaction with life.

Throughout November, in each Yogalicious blog I will share a feast of research, inspiration, blessings, and exercises to expand our experience of gratitude all month – even for those difficult days, when we are not feeling so grateful.

Thank you for meeting me here! It is a privilege to share yoga and mindful living with you this way. Please drop me a line and let me know how you are.  And lastly, remember... as we head towards our Thanksgiving celebrations:

“A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.”
— Aesop, Fables

With Love,

Jillian

P.S.  I'm going to be teaching a Veterans Day Yoga Class / Meditation Benefit supporting recovery and resilience November 11, 9:30-11am at Jaipure Yoga in Montclair, NJ where my regular Tuesday morning yoga class will be followed by a 15 minute Gratitude and Healing meditation for our Veterans.

We warmly invite you to honor our nation’s veterans by attending this short benefit meditation class. This donation based meditation will help support Veterans Yoga Project, whose mission is to support recovery and promote resilience among veterans, their families, and their communities.

If you come to class or not - please click here to learn more about to learn about Mindful Resilience Yoga Therapy for Veterans with Veterans Yoga Project and consider making a donation in the studio on November 11 or directly to http://www.veteransyogaproject.org/