Practice Gratitude By Gigi Steel
T
he first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 by Pilgrims who had come to the New World to escape tyranny in England. At the time, they were accustomed to setting aside special days to give thanks: a good harvest, a military victory, the recovery of a sick child, or the end of a drought. Setting aside a day to give thanks for their harvest in 1621 was nothing out of the ordinary. After this First Thanksgiving, the day was observed on and off until 1789, when President George Washington issued a proclamation of celebration. President Thomas Jefferson then decided not to hold Thanksgiving celebrations. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln brought the celebration back proclaiming; “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” to be held on the last Thursday of each November. Finally in 1942, Thanksgiving Day received a permanent observation date independent of the inclination of the current President. We can glean a lesson from these first 8 | 50+ Living | November 2020
Americans; taking time to give thanks and express gratitude can improve our lives—both physically and emotionally. From a physical standpoint, gratitude can lower blood pressure, improve our immune system, reduce the effects of an aging brain, improve sleep quality, and lower stress hormones. It’s been shown that grateful people have more motivation for self-care. They exercise, eat healthy, and are less likely to smoke or abuse drugs. Gratitude works because positive feelings have a direct effect on our body. Emotionally, gratitude can help us manage stress and be more optimistic—which also helps our immune system. Gratitude can change our perception of happiness. Consistently grateful people are typically happier, more energetic, hopeful, empathic, spiritual, forgiving, and less materialistic. They are less likely to be depressed or lonely—loneliness can double the risks
