Gratitude on the Go: Why Thankfulness Travels

Hello, my savvy pilgrims!

Travel is often the perfect respite from the daily stress of our busy adult lives, and if all goes according to plan, we return home refreshed and thankful for all the new experiences, stories and Instagram posts we collected on our trip.

So, why is traveling over the holidays so stressful?

Well, holiday travel pulls us out of our comfort zone, but not in the fun zipline-through-a-rainforest kind of way. For most of us, we’re not heading out on a glamorous vacation but instead to our hometown, where everything seems pretty familiar and maybe a little boring. Cue the disappointment.

Plus, we’re under extra pressure both time wise and by the expectations of our family and maybe even our friends — to attend every party, make lots of small talk and basically be “on” for 3-5 days straight.

But this week, I want to offer you another perspective that I came across recently and L-O-V-E… that this disappointment is all in your mind. And gratitude is the key to truly refreshing the way you view the world and your special spot in it.

Read on to learn why you should take your gratitude on the go, and how it can help you foster a deeper appreciation for life that will definitely boost your holiday spirit!

Gratitude Feels Great

There are tons of health benefits to saying thank you! Grateful people catch more zzz’s, have better self esteem, less aches and pains, and don’t hold as many grudges. One recent study showed that maintaining a consistent gratitude practice boosts optimism anywhere from 5 to 15%, which in turn can help you live longer. And when you feel better, you’re just going to have a better time — plain and simple.

Thanks For The Memories

So your family visit isn’t the same as a weekend on a sandy beach somewhere… so what? Just because it may feel like it’s the same ol’ thing, doesn’t mean that you cannot develop a deeper appreciation for your current environment.  ”We tend to grossly overestimate the pleasure brought forth by new experiences and underestimate the power of finding meaning in current ones,” according to writer Lawrence Yeo. He continues, “Gratitude is what allows you to feel that same sense of wonderment about your day-to-day life as you would if you were walking the streets of a faraway city.”

So, bring yourself back to the present moment. Forget your expectations and pay attention to what is.  What things did you miss since your last visit? Is there a holiday tradition that always warms your heart? Do you prepare a special dish for Thanksgiving dinner? Do you get to see an old friend again during your trip? Gratitude has been proven to reduce toxic emotions like envy, regret and resentment, which allows you to spend more quality time with your loved ones.

To Infinity and Beyond!

It’s important to practice gratitude daily, but during times of greater stress — it’s essential. We all have our default ways of dealing with pressure, and those usually include unhealthy habits like overeating, sacrificing sleep and moving ourselves to the bottom of our own priority list.

According to Forbes magazine, “What leaders under pressure must do is recognize which direction they are more naturally inclined to lean, and then recognize the consequences of leaning too far in one direction over the other.” Gratitude improves your ability to stay calm, resilient, and connected, so when the stakes are high, you make smarter decisions.

It also makes us more likable and can improve our ability to network effectively. So by taking your gratitude practice on the road, you’ll strengthen habits you can later use to earn a promotion at work, handle more responsibility and bigger deadlines or build better relationships with your colleagues. It’s a win-win.

So my Challenge to you, as you travel this holiday season, is to pack your gratitude journal in your carry on and take your practice on the road! You’ll have a better trip, and by staying consistent you’ll stay on track for a healthier, happier new year.

Snap a photo of your gratitude on the go and tag @ThePlanteLife!

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LOVE + happy holiday memories!