Find Holiday Balance: How Gratitude Supports Well-Being

If you read last week’s blog, you already know my Aunt Noreen has a way of making the holidays special. She can host a 23-course feast or tackle early-morning Black Friday deals, she does it all without missing a beat.

But what I admire most about her isn’t her knack for planning—it’s her approach to finding joy and staying grounded. After the plates are cleared and the house quiets down, she always takes a moment to pause, reflect, and write down what she’s most grateful for.

She once told me, “Gratitude doesn’t just happen. You have to practice it, or you’ll miss the good stuff.”

That simple advice has stuck with me over the years, especially during the busier seasons of life. And the best part? Science backs her up. Practicing gratitude isn’t just about warm and fuzzy feelings—it reduces stress, calms the nervous system, and helps balance hormones like cortisol. When cortisol spikes due to overwhelm, it can put us into a fat-storing mode, working against us no matter how mindful we are with our food choices.

This holiday season, I invite you to try it too. Set aside just five minutes a day—maybe in the morning with a cup of tea or in the evening before bed—to jot down a few things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be grand gestures; sometimes it’s the smallest joys that mean the most, like a kind word from a loved one or noticing the beautiful color of the fall leaves.

Gratitude is a gift we give ourselves. It shifts our focus to what’s good and abundant, even when life feels chaotic or overwhelming. It’s a simple yet powerful way to reset and reconnect, with the added bonus of supporting our health and wellness goals!

As we head into the holidays, let’s keep it simple: let go of perfection, take care of ourselves, and embrace a daily moment of gratitude. These small moments can help us navigate the season with more joy and far less stress.

And as for me I am so very thankful for my family and my friends and for you - for your trust, your time and for allowing me to share this journey with you.

If you’d like to share stories of your own Aunt Noreen, or if you’re ready to prioritize yourself this season, drop me a note to schedule your THRIVE BEYOND 45 complimentary session. I’d love to hear from you!

And remember—you’ve got this!