Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Today, as we gather around tables filled with delicious food, share laughter with loved ones, and express gratitude, let’s explore how Thanksgiving traditions can go beyond just celebration and serve as tools for mental resilience.
Thanksgiving rituals—whether it’s preparing a family recipe, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, or simply sharing what we’re thankful for—create a sense of stability and connection. These traditions offer comfort, grounding us in routines that foster emotional well-being, especially during challenging times.
How Traditions Build Mental Resilience
Traditions act as anchors during life’s uncertainties, providing continuity that helps us navigate change and stress. According to Dr. Barbara Fiese, a psychologist and family rituals researcher, “Rituals provide predictability, structure, and meaning, which are essential elements for building emotional resilience.”
In fact, research published in the Journal of Family Psychology highlights that families who engage in regular traditions experience lower levels of stress and increased feelings of support. Thanksgiving, with its focus on gratitude and togetherness, is an excellent opportunity to reinforce these benefits.
Comfort in Familiarity
Revisiting familiar traditions offers a sense of stability in a chaotic world. Whether it’s the aroma of a favorite pie baking in the oven or the simple act of setting the table together, these small rituals can evoke feelings of safety and nostalgia.
For instance, my family has a tradition of going around the table and sharing one thing we’re grateful for. It’s a grounding moment that not only fosters connection but also shifts our focus to the positive aspects of our lives, a practice shown to improve mental health.
According to Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, “Gratitude allows us to celebrate the present. It magnifies positive emotions and promotes resilience by reducing toxic emotions like envy and resentment.”
Creating Connection
Thanksgiving traditions strengthen relationships, which are vital for mental resilience. Sharing a meal, laughing over old stories, or even collaborating on kitchen disasters reminds us that we’re not alone.
In a world where social isolation is increasingly common, these moments of connection matter more than ever. Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a leading expert on the impact of social relationships on health, states, “Strong social ties are as important as quitting smoking or maintaining a healthy weight for longevity and mental well-being.”
So even if you’re celebrating virtually or with a smaller gathering this year, finding ways to connect can help combat loneliness and provide emotional support.
The Power of Gratitude
Thanksgiving naturally encourages gratitude, a cornerstone of mental resilience. Expressing what we’re thankful for shifts our focus away from challenges and toward positivity. This simple act has profound psychological benefits.
A 2022 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that gratitude journaling for just 15 minutes a day significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. So why not take a moment today to write down three things you’re thankful for?
Making New Traditions
If your Thanksgiving looks different this year, consider creating new traditions that reflect your current needs. Whether it’s a solo gratitude walk, starting a gratitude journal, or hosting a “Friendsgiving” over Zoom, these new rituals can still bring comfort and meaning.
Thanksgiving traditions, old or new, have the power to do more than create cherished memories—they can help us build mental resilience. By fostering connection, promoting gratitude, and providing stability, these rituals remind us of what truly matters and keep us grounded, even in tough times.
So today, as you celebrate, remember to cherish the small moments, savor the connections, and find gratitude in the ordinary. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!
By: April Carson
References:
- Fiese, B. H., & Tomcho, T. J. (2001). Family rituals and routines: A context for development in the lives of young children. Annual Review of Psychology.
- Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
- Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine.
- Journal of Positive Psychology (2022). Gratitude interventions and mental health outcomes: A meta-analytic review.
