I know it might feel like all we’ve been doing this year is giving – taking care of our families, home schooling our children, making a million home-cooked meals, possibly our sanity at times, and nearing the end of the year, we may feel like we have nothing left to give. So… in TMB style…
WHY GIVING IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR US
… let’s RE-frame it and review the benefits from a health perspective! That’s right, seeing giving is actually GOOD for our health. Sure, receiving is great, but did you know that scientifically speaking, giving feels even better than receiving? When we give to other people, there’s a physiological response that happens:
1) Our brains reward centre actually lights up!
2) We get a boost of feel good endorphins!
3) Oxytocin is released, lowering our stress!
4) It makes us feel more connected to others!
THE BENEFIT OF DAILY
GRATITUDE PRACTICES
Now onto gratitude… especially in light of the most recent lockdown restrictions (again), our heart goes out to small business owners. We know, finding the gratitude in the middle of this can sometimes feel like a stretch. Although the celebrations won’t necessarily be as big and festive as they have been, there really is still lots to be thankful for.
What better time than a holiday dedicated to giving thanks to practice gratitude? If you’re in a low place, always start with the basics. Being grateful for our basic necessities (shelter, water, food, clean air, our health etc.) of life helps us realize how much we really DO have.
Daily gratitude practices have been shown to help reduce stress and feelings of anxiety – By keeping us connected to the present and giving us perspective, tapping into what you are grateful for in any given moment can help keep you grounded and calm, things we’re all in need of with all the uncertainty we’re facing these days.
LOVE LANGUAGES AND GIVING
Everyone speaks a different love language! Not everyone gives and receives love in the same way. This Thanksgiving, try giving in different ways to the people you care about:
LOVE LANGUAGE #1:
QUALITY TIME
We may not be able to get together with large groups this year, but you can still spend some quality time with the one (or few) people in your household. Try something new like cooking a new recipe together, playing a board game (away from screens), getting out for a hike outdoors, watch an old movie and so on. Try active listening, eye contact, and being fully present in your conversations.
LOVE LANGUAGE #2:
WORDS OF AFFIRMATION
Call up someone you haven’t connected with in a long time, or try the old school way and send someone a hand written letter letting them know you have been thinking about them! People with words of affirmation as a love language value your words deeply, as it makes them feel understood and appreciated. Even an unexpected text!
LOVE LANGUAGE #3:
PHYSICAL TOUCH
Sigh… to all our physical touchers, you must be missing this the most! If you don’t live with others you can be physically affectionate in other ways. Try hugging yourself (it honestly works!) or even hugging a tree (also, honestly works too!!!!)
You can also try something like dry brushing (it feels lovely like you’re being touched, but it’s not by you!) Dry brushing is also a great way to stay exfoliated, encourage lymphatic boost, circulation and relax fascia. Plus it makes a gorgeous addition to your bathroom shelf. Grab a TMB dry brush here! Dr. Bhat’s fave!
LOVE LANGUAGE #4:
ACTS OF SERVICE
People whose love language is acts of service believe that actions speak louder than words. Feeling grateful for all you have this year? See where your service could be of use to another person. It can be a small gesture like offering to help with Thanksgiving dinner, doing the dishes, taking the garbage out or helping with holiday/fall decor.
LOVE LANGUAGE #5:
GIFTS
This one is pretty straight forward. Gifts are visual symbols of love and it’s not about the monetary value for those who value this as their love language. Perhaps you have a friend who lives out of town who would appreciate being sent a symbolic, meaningful gift. Better yet, you can always try hand making something for someone, or even bringing a hosting gift to your family dinner if you are attending one.
PSSST! WHAT A TMB PILATES TEACHER’S
LOVE LANGUAGES LOOK LIKE, LOL!
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