Through the never-ending busyness of life, we tend to lose our connection to each other, to our community. And we can lose our connection to those things that keep us healthy, happy and whole.
Research reveals that adopting a practice of mindfulness and gratitude can have far-reaching health benefits. Mindfulness is the act of focusing on the present moment. And practicing gratitude is more than saying thank you. It is a mindful, intentional shift of awareness and focus to the more positive aspects of your life.
“Remember that behavior changes biology,” states Amanda Logan, APRN, CNP in an online article for the Mayo Clinic Health System. “Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.”
By practicing gratitude for just 15 minutes a day for at least six weeks, you can begin to create a new habit and promote a lasting change in mindset and perspective.
“The feeling of being unburdened lives within you, a calm that’s available to you. Using mindfulness, we can pause long enough and use intention to access this inner peace, bringing it into our daily life,” agrees Bend therapist Sarah Peterson, LCSW. “Amidst the intentional pause we can allow ourselves to breathe, find gratitude, renew and embrace the freedom that’s always within reach.”
Here at Bend Lifestyle, we have decided to embark on a daily gratitude journey for the month of November by hosting an “Attitude of Gratitude Photo Challenge.” Each day we will focus on at least one thing we are grateful for and snap a photo to capture the moment. And we invite you to join us.
Take a photo.
Share it.
Tag us @bend.lifestyle.
Whether you join the photo challenge or simply take a few moments to focus on the positive each day, we wish you a November filled with reminders of all you have to be thankful for.
@bend.lifestyle