Well-Being Experiment #003

Hello friends & family, and for those celebrating, Happy Passover!

During Passover, Jewish families recite the Four Questions — asking ourselves, ‘why is this night different from all other nights?’ This year, virtually connecting with my family for our Seder, I think we can all agree that not just this night, but this time, is most certainly very different. It is heart wrenching to see the devastation unfolding, and it is difficult to accept so much tragedy that is out of our control.

But, I feel fortunate that in my own situation while I am social distancing there are still silver linings to be found if I look hard enough. For my extended family, dispersed across the country, from California to Florida, North Carolina, New York, and Connecticut (where I am quarantining with my in-laws), we all gathered for our very first Passover all together. We immediately recognized that if it was not for the pandemic, for this ‘new normal’ of using video conferencing to connect during this time, we would not be spending the holiday together.

Today’s tip is all about gratitude, and I hope it motivates you to look for small and big things to be grateful for in each of your lives.

With love & gratitude,
Tracy

Well-being Tip #003. Gratitude Attitude

[Emotional/Mental Well-being: Being aware & managing your feelings, being at peace with who you are, and having the tools you need to weather life’s ups and downs]

As I find myself losing track of the days, I have been trying to incorporate more routines like exercise, walks, and journaling, to stay centered. As part of my journaling practice each morning I write down my response to 3 statements:

• I will let go of…
• I am grateful for…
• I will focus on…

This is just one example of a small gratitude practice. Gratitude is a powerful force, and has been proven to offer many benefits, like increasing happiness, enhancing empathy, reducing stress, overcoming trauma, among many others. Below are a few practices to try out.

• Write down 3 things you are grateful for each morning or right before bed, being as specific as possible (Bonus: make a game out of noticing something completely new and different each day)
• If journaling isn’t your thing, try creating a gratitude jar and add something new each day to look back on
• Tell someone you love them or appreciate them via a call or text, or better yet, write them a letter of gratitude
• Say thank you to the essential workers in your life — whether that is a healthcare professional you know or the person delivering your packages
• Make a donation to an organization fighting this horrible disease
• Post what you are grateful for on social media — and encourage friends and family to do the same
• Make a gratitude collage — cut out pictures of things you are grateful for
• Share what you are grateful for during meal times

Let me know what you try, and how it makes you feel. If you have any other ideas, please send them my way and I will share it in a future newsletter.