The Year 2020: Is there anything in this year that calls for thanksgiving? If so, is there a way in which my health would benefit from it?
Can you remember how the year 2020 started? Like
almost everyone else, I had an inspiring and exhilarating time during the
cross-over service on December 31st, 2019. I had high expectations. I was
looking forward to a year filled with opportunities to improve myself, to build
relationships, and develop projects. I had even hoped to earn more. Can
anyone feel me?
Global Lockdown or Meltdown?
Then came 2020, with news from a far country. The
novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 had begun to ravage China and several other
countries. Little did we know that the unwanted visitor would cross over into
our borders and take away the lives of the low and mighty. This was swiftly
followed by a global lockdown. I remember my little niece saying that the
situation was more like a melt-down. It was not a surprise to hear that sales
and revenue had to start falling. Businesses crashed and many lost their
sources of livelihood.
#EndSARS Protests
In Nigeria, most businesses were in the phase of
recovery until the recent #EndSARS protests for justice were truncated by
miscreants, thugs, and non-deserving citizens of Nigeria. It was a black day for
all of us on the 20th of October 2020 when we heard that innocent blood had
been shed and spilled onto the National flag. Many hearts are still bleeding
from the loss. As if this was not enough, neighbours turned against each other,
widespread looting occurred and multiple governmental and private infrastructure
were burnt down. Alas, my dear fellow-Nigerians! How did we get here?
November: A Month of Thanksgiving
Incidentally, the month ahead is the month of
thanksgiving. November, the thanksgiving month is celebrated annually in
several countries particularly in the United States, Canada, and even in
Liberia. In these countries, a day of the month is chosen as a National
holiday. Although not an official holiday in Nigeria, some of us still look
forward to marking thanksgiving month in one way or the other. However, in
the midst of all these crises, there doesn’t seem much to be thankful for,
right?
According to Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and
popular TEDx speaker, being thankful is probably one of the most neglected but
accessible self-care tools we can employ on a daily basis. In overwhelming and
frustrating seasons such as the one in which we are in, being thankful comes
with a wealth of health benefits that help to soothe our pain and overcome our
grief as well as angry and bitter emotions.
Here are some health benefits of thankfulness:
Being thankful can reduce the levels of unhealthy
emotions such as sadness, anger, and frustration which can lead to depression
and elevated blood pressure. This will ultimately improve your longevity.
Thankfulness will help you to appreciate and value
the most important people as well as the positives in your life. It will also
help you to develop new friendships. This is important for your support system
and social well-being.
Being thankful is a key to improved sleep. In order
to sleep better, sleep hygiene rules encourage you to avoid anxious and
disturbing discussions or thoughts at bedtime. These jerk up your adrenaline
levels, delaying your sleep. To mitigate these effects, at bedtime you can
reflect on what you are thankful for and then write them down in your journal.
Thankfulness is also a trait or strength that
improves your character. Being thankful for what you are or what you have
reduces the tendency for you to focus negatively on the success of another
person. This mitigates feelings of jealousy, spite, and resentment towards
others, helping you to enjoy your relationships.
Being thankful fosters a sense of loyalty in the
person being appreciated. This happens when a boss says ‘thank you’ to his
employee. This creates an intangible incentive for the employee to do better,
thus enhancing a healthier work environment.
Gratitude improves your spirituality by connecting
you to a Source higher than yourself. Spirituality is tied to positive
thinking, hope as well as improved health outcomes. Studies show that
spirituality is an important factor that facilitates your ability to enjoy
life in spite of ill-health, also aiding faster recovery compared to those who
harbour anger, grudges, and unforgiveness.
How Can I Be Thankful?
In case you are wondering how to be thankful, start
with a decision to express your thankfulness each day. You can do this by
meditating or by singing a song. You can open a gratitude journal to write in every day or write a thank-you note to someone. Every small opportunity you get,
endeavour to say ‘thank you’ and watch out for the change it will bring within
you and around you. On the 1st of October, I embarked on a 60-day lifestyle
challenge along with like-minded others. One of our daily tasks includes
gratitude journaling. This has enriched us with so much positivity and trust in
God despite the surrounding circumstances.
In conclusion, individuals who are more thankful are
more likely to enjoy a healthier quality of life in terms of physical,
emotional, and social well-being. Today, replace grumblings and complaints with
thanksgiving. It is not November yet, but expressing this virtue of
thankfulness throughout the year will help you derive the enormous benefits
that come with it.
Dr Ore Taiwo Makinde is a Consultant Family Physician and certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician.
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