Thanks & Giving: A Day of Gratitude, Mindfulness, & Simple Pleasures

By Kylie Kain

(Practicing mindfulness in Shaw Park last Thanksgiving, 2018)

I have always been someone who likes to stay busy. I tend to overfill my plate (no pun intended!), and I often have to remind myself to pause, to center myself, and to give myself a break. Mindfulness is something I continue to practice and don’t think I will ever 100% master, because it is tough stuff! 

Being a dietetic intern by day and a grad student by night is mentally taxing. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to decompress from all of the personal stressors we have going on in our lives. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves how much we can appreciate the simple things in life- health, family, friends, whole foods, and football! 

Let’s celebrate gratitude, mindfulness, and simple pleasures this Thanksgiving!

Ways to Celebrate Gratitude

• Volunteer with friends or family at a local food pantry, church, soup kitchen, or Meals on Wheels. The few-hour time commitment is always outweighed by the benefits. 
• Tell a friend or family member why you are grateful for him/her. Even writing down a few kind, heart spoken words to share with someone else can be such a powerful gesture. 
• Make a donation. If you can’t volunteer your time, you might consider donating gently used clothes, canned goods, or as little as $5 of cash to an organization in need. Your small sacrifice could be someone else’s treasure.

Ways to Celebrate Mindfulness

• Take some time to yourself. As student interns, we are constantly juggling assignments and tracking deadlines. Feeling rushed and stressed makes it difficult to pause and notice internal cues. Take some time to increase self-awareness, whether it is going for a long walk/jog, or simply lying in bed an extra 30-45 minutes. Reflect and assess where you are at, both mentally and physically. 
• Be fully present. We can all get caught up in worrying about the future, dwelling on the past or otherwise preoccupied with whatever is consuming our thoughts. Try to let go of your inner narrative, interpretations, and judgements so that you can focus your attention on what is happening in the present moment. 
• Practice self-care. Take this time to engage in physical activities that you enjoy, drink plenty of water, satisfy your appetite and get plenty of rest.  

Ways to Celebrate Simple Pleasures

• Keep the menu simple. Life can get complicated and chaotic at times, but there is absolutely nothing complicated about a Thanksgiving dinner. Foods are delicious and nutritious simply prepared, without all of the fluffernutter. Quite literally though - mashed whole sweet potatoes sans marshmallows and candied pecans are simply delicious!
• Reconnect with family. Sometimes as we grow older, we may feel as though we’ve fallen out of touch with cousins and other close relatives. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reconnect, share many laughs, and show support for one another. 
• Organize a fun activity, like a touch football game, charades, or participate as a family in a turkey trot run. Some of my fondest memories come from friendly (usually!) family competitions.

My experiences as an intern thus far, especially in the clinical setting, have reminded me of the many simple things I have to be grateful for. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for a healthy family, a healthy plate, and a healthy mind/body. 

When I am feeling overwhelmed with tests, projects, and presentations, I have found that showing gratitude, practicing mindfulness, and carving out time for simple pleasures can help me stay centered. It is definitely a work in progress, but I hope a few of my tips will help you too! : ) 

Wishing everyone a warm & relaxing Thanksgiving. Cheers!

(Vegetable “Turkey” Platter my mom and I made together on Thanksgiving, 2018)