Now is the season to think about what makes you most thankful, but research supports making it a year-round habit. Many studies have found there are benefits of gratitude — both mental and physical — and all it takes to enjoy them is a little bit of introspection.

Here are seven surprising benefits of practicing gratitude.

Gratitude can make you more patient

Research from Northeastern University has found that people who felt grateful for little, everyday things were more patient and better able to make sensible decisions, compared to those who didn’t feel very gracious on a day-to-day basis. When 105 undergraduate students were asked to choose between receiving a small amount of money immediately or a larger sum at some point in the future, for example, the students who had shown more gratitude in earlier experiments were able to hold out for more cash.

Gratitude might improve your relationship

According to a study in the Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology, feeling grateful toward your partner — and vice versa — can improve numerous aspects of your relationship, including feelings of connectedness and overall satisfaction as a couple. “Having a partner that’s grateful for you or you being grateful for the other” can both help your love life, says Emma Seppälä, a happiness researcher at Stanford and Yale Universities and author of The Happiness Track. (Seppälä wasn’t involved with the research.)

Gratitude improves self-care

In a study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, researchers asked people to rate their levels of gratitude, physical health and psychological health, as well as how likely they were to do wellbeing-boosting behaviors like exercise, healthy eating and going to the doctor. They found positive correlations between gratitude and each of these behaviors, suggesting that giving thanks helps people appreciate and care for their bodies.

Gratitude can help you sleep

“Count blessings, not sheep,” Seppälä says. Research in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research has found that feeling grateful helps people sleep better and longer. That’s likely because “you have more positive thoughts before you go to sleep,” says Seppälä (who wasn’t involved in the study), which may soothe the nervous system. If you’re going to make a daily gratitude list, Seppälä recommends writing it before bed.

Gratitude may stop you from overeating

“Gratitude replenishes willpower,” says Susan Peirce Thompson, a cognitive scientist who specializes in the psychology of eating. The concept is similar to the Northeastern research that found a connection between gratitude and patience: Thompson says cultivating feelings of gratitude can boost your impulse control, helping you slow down and make better decisions. If you find yourself taking slice after slice of pumpkin pie, for example, Thompson recommends excusing yourself from the table to jot down a quick list of things you’re grateful for, which can help you clear your mind and reset.

Gratitude can help ease depression

Thompson, the cognitive scientist, says experiments have shown that people whole partake in the “three good things” exercise — which, as the name suggests, prompts people to think of three good moments or things that happened that day — see considerable improvements in depression and overall happiness, sometimes in as little as a couple weeks. “If there were a drug that did that, whoever patented that drug would be rich,” Thompson says. “Gratitude is very powerful.”

Gratitude gives you happiness that lasts

Lots of things, from a compliment to a sugary treat, can bring little bursts of happiness. But instant gratification also goes away quickly, Seppälä explains, which leaves you craving more. “Gratitude is something that leads to much more sustainable forms of happiness, because it’s not based in that immediate gratification; it’s a frame of mind,” she says. If you regularly take time to express gratitude and thankfulness, you’re likely to see results.

Why is teaching kids gratitude important? We want our kids to be appreciative and not take things for granted. Learning how to be grateful can improve kids’ relationships, ability to empathize, and overall happiness.

10 Tips for Raising Grateful Kids

1. Set an example

Show them what it means to be grateful by offering a genuine “thank you!” to a waitress who serves your food, a helpful neighbor, someone who holds the door open for you. Thanking children for doing things that are helpful, even when they are chores like putting away toys, reinforces the behavior and lets them know they’re appreciated.

2. Point out generosity

Call attention to it when people (including your kids!) do things that go beyond what’s expected — helping without being asked, being especially thoughtful, or taking extra time to do something because it’s important to someone else.

3. Have a talk

Try asking your child how they feel when people say thank you to them for doing something nice, and then how they feel when they don’t. Going over their own feelings will help them understand how his behavior affects others and make it easier for them to understand the emotional benefits of being grateful.

4. Find fun ways to say thanks

They could try giving a smile or a thumbs up if someone holds the door, or show grandma how much they love their new coat by drawing a thank you picture (or taking a smiling selfie!) instead of writing a card.

5. Share the love

Encourage kids to think of people who help them, from coaches to neighbors to the local firemen, and say thanks with cookies or cupcakes. Making them and giving them are fun, and they help kids see how connected we all are.

6. Put things in perspective

Talk to your kids about those who are less fortunate. Understanding that not everyone has the same advantages will help them develop compassion for others and gratitude for their own privileges.

7. Let kids choose

Encourage kids to turn their interests into action. Whether it’s a fundraising drive at school, a bake sale, or a run for charity, expressing their interests and using their skills for a good cause is a great way to boost their confidence and give them a chance to give back at the same time.

8. Get involved

Make giving back a family affair. Find places where you can volunteer together or let your child choose a charity to donate to. Giving and gratitude go hand in hand, and doing it as a family will bring everyone closer and help you make some great memories.

9. Make gratitude part of bedtime

When you tuck them in at night, ask your child to tell you three things they’re grateful for. Even if they’ve had a bad day it will help them—and you—end each day on a positive note.

10. Give kids credit

Be mindful of the fact that your child may have their own way of expressing gratitude. Different kids communicate in different ways. For example, your child may be more comfortable giving a hug than a verbal thank you, or might show their appreciation by helping out around the house or drawing you a picture. Tuning in to your child’s unique way of being thankful will let them know that even as they’re learning new ways to give back, you see and appreciate the thoughtful person they already are.

November marks a time for gratitude, and it also is our character trait of the month that we will further explore with students and staff. We are all connected and choosing to notice and appreciate the things in our life, others, and things in the world will build a better community. Creating a positive and supportive environment teaches our children as well as adults the positives from every experience and being thankful for all that we have. We learn that we can use the positives or the negatives in our lives as the foundation to build. Citing from the 7 Mindsets platform they share that through the understanding of guiding our children on all the things they do have, we are channeling them away of the from always focusing on what they don’t have. Please check out some helpful gratitude growing mindset tips and exercises below from 7 Mindsets to work on at home with your family.

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Dionne Jones

My name is Dionne Jones and I am a native of Kingston, Jamaica. I received a track and field scholarship to attend school at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, and in 2013 earned a Master’s degree in School Counseling at Lamar University in Beamount. After spending about 6 years at a charter school, I came to Alief in 2012 as an 8th grade ELAR teacher. I moved to a school counseling position in 2018. I love what I do; I love servicing both the students and staff at Killough Middle School. I believe in treating others as I want to be treated. I believe in being patient, open and empathetic. I enjoy seeing students succeed academically, socially and emotionally. I love to connect with my students. I also serve as the Girls’ Head Track and Field coach; this position also provides an opportunity to help students on the path of success.

I am a proud mother of a 25-year-old, and I try to spend as much time as I can with him, whether in person or over the phone as he lives away from me. When I am not at work, you can find me either at the track or in the gym. It is my self-care method.

Dates to Remember

Friday, November 1- Early Voting Ends

Saturday, November 2- Alief Proud Day (10 am-1 pm)

Tuesday, November 5- Student/Staff holiday; Election Day

Friday, November 15- HORUS College, Trades, and Scholarship Expo Event (8:30-2:00 pm)- High school

Tuesday, November 19- School Board Meeting 6:30 pm. Watch the meeting using this link https://video.aliefisd.net/show?video=436b1ee64ce7

Monday, November 25-Friday, November 29- Thanksgiving Break

Resources

Mental Health Screening Tool

https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools

NAMI Texas

http://www.namitexas.org/

NAMI National

http://www.nami.org/

Crisis Intervention of Houston

http://www.crisishotline.org/

Harris Health System

https://www.harrishealth.org

Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC)

https://hcpc.uth.edu/

Harris County Sheriff’s Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

713-221-6000

Houston Police Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

http://www.houstoncit.org/

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD

http://www.mhmraharris.org

The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston

http://www.council-houston.org

American Psychiatric Association

http://www.psych.org/

American Psychological Association

http://www.apa.org

Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)

http://www.adaa.org/

Autism Society of America

http://www.autism-society.org

National Institute of Mental Health

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

National Suicide Prevention

http://www.texassuicideprevention.org/

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation

http://www.ocfoundation.org/

If you need further support check out these Texas-based organizations and websites:

2-1-1 Texas - Using the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s database, you can search for resources based on your zip code. For further help, dial 2-1-1 to reach their anonymous hotline and receive personalized help with basic needs in your community.

Community Resource Coordination Groups - Check out this website, created by a group of local partners and community members, to search for benefits and services in almost every county in Texas.

Feeding Texas - Find free groceries, sign up for nutrition programs, and connect to other helpful services based on the food banks in your zip code.

Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) - Search for community health centers and providers with appointments available for Texans without, or with limited, health insurance.

Texas Homeless Network - If you are experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness, use the THN website to search for free or reduced cost services (medical care, food, housing, etc) in your area.