The Recipe for a Meaningful Thanksgiving: Thanks and Giving
I love Thanksgiving. When I was growing up, my mother would put so much time and effort into preparing for this holiday. Just the thought of it conjures up an image of a table filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, surrounded by my family and friends.
And then the thought of feasting on leftovers following the holiday, like a roasted turkey sandwich with cranberries and gravy, and knowing it would last for a couple more days, was even better. It was like experiencing Thanksgiving all over again. So I look forward to Thanksgiving, spending hours cooking in the kitchen preparing food for my family and friends. When reflecting on the word “Thanksgiving,” it seems to be synonymous with eating and conversing, at least for me anyway. I also realize the word “Thanksgiving” consists of two words, “thanks” and “giving,” which has a dual meaning, focusing on gratitude and generosity. That is, being grateful for things and giving to others through acts of kindness and charity.
Today, Thanksgiving is not just about eating delicious food and spending time with family and friends, but it also kicks off the start of buying gifts for family, friends, and relatives and giving to those less fortunate than us by serving meals to the homeless at local organizations, holding food drives at local churches and schools, or supporting charitable causes for the holiday season.
As I continue to reflect on Thanksgiving, the images it conjures in my mind, and its dual meaning, I wonder if it can have a positive impact on mental health and overall mental well-being. Researchers suggest it can. If so, how? Let’s take a closer look at how the mere acts of “thanks” and “giving” can enhance mental well-being during Thanksgiving.
First and foremost, giving thanks, be it for the things you have in your life or what others have done for you, reduces negative emotions. Why? Because focusing on what you have, rather than what you lack, shifts your mindset from worry to appreciation. Second, being thankful or appreciative for things, whether they be small or large, increases positive feelings, gratitude, and is associated with life satisfaction, happiness, and optimism. Third, it can actually strengthen brain pathways. Yes, simply focusing on gratitude for even one Thanksgiving day can produce positive changes in neural pathways, or doing it as a daily gratitude practice strengthens neural pathways linked to positive thinking, making it easier to see the good in life.
Now that we’ve explored ways that thanks can improve mental well-being during Thanksgiving, let’s explore how giving can. To begin with, acts of giving activate the brain’s reward system, leading to the release of dopamine and serotonin, which produce feelings of happiness and well-being. When feel-good hormones are released, it can increase energy, create a positive mindset, and improve stress management. Giving to others, be it working at a pantry or volunteering, can give you a sense of purpose.
Spending time with family and friends during Thanksgiving can reinforce stronger bonds and create a sense of belonging, which is helpful for staving off feelings of isolation and depression. Sharing a meal with loved ones, whether family or friends, also creates a sense of belonging that is vital for mental health. Thanksgiving also creates a time to reflect on your past and present, the changes you can make in your life, and how these changes can have a positive impact on you and others.
The combined effects of expressing thanks and giving can enhance neurotransmitters and increase positive effects on your brain, which promotes overall better mental health and well-being. So take time this Thanksgiving to give thanks, and give when and where you can because it will produce a positive rippling effect on you, your family, and friends, and make the perfect recipe for a meaningful holiday.
See you next month!
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