Every year around this time, many of us end up in a familiar scene. Someone at the table clears their throat, looks around meaningfully, and says, “Let’s each share what we’re grateful for.” Cue the internal groans, the scramble for ideas, and the sudden, desperate desire for more gravy.

But here’s the twist. That tiny moment, awkward or heartfelt, can be the start of a surprisingly powerful gratitude practice. And the science on gratitude is no joke. Researchers have spent decades studying it, and the findings are clear. Gratitude is one of those rare behaviors that’s simple, free, time-efficient, and genuinely good for your mental and physical health. In the world of wellness advice, that’s basically the unicorn trifecta.

So, this year, we’re not just telling you that we’re thankful for you. (We are. Very.) We’re also giving you something you can quietly pocket for later. Gratitude can actually change how your brain processes the world, which means those few words you mutter between bites of stuffing may be doing more for you than you realize.

Why Gratitude Works (Even If You’re Only a Beginner)

Gratitude is essentially the act of recognizing the good in your life and acknowledging that at least some of that good comes from outside yourself. It turns out this shift in perspective affects both mood and physiology in ways even researchers didn’t expect.

People who regularly practice gratitude tend to have more positive emotions overall. They ruminate less. They feel less envy and resentment. Their levels of anxiety and depression tend to be lower. In a world where doomscrolling is practically an Olympic sport, gratitude functions as a kind of neural counterweight.

And it’s not just psychological. Study after study shows that grateful people have better sleep, stronger immune systems, fewer aches and pains, and healthier habits in general. Some even have lower blood pressure. It’s as if your body overhears your brain saying, “Life isn’t so bad,” and responds with, “Great, I’ll relax too.”

Gratitude also helps relationships. Expressing appreciation—out loud, in writing, or even in passing—helps people feel closer, safer, and more connected. Think of it as emotional WD-40. It keeps the machinery moving.

What That Thanksgiving Table Ritual Is Actually Doing

That classic holiday circle of “I’m grateful for…” is, at its core, a gratitude intervention. It briefly interrupts routine thought patterns and reroutes your mental energy toward what’s going right.

That shift alone can:

• Strengthen your sense of connection to the people around you
• Help you recover more quickly from stress
• Bring your nervous system down a notch
• Prime you to notice more positive moments in the days that follow
  
  

Even if you’re cynical. Even if someone before you steals the thing you wanted to say. Even if your teenager mutters something unintelligible. The act still works.

How to Turn a Once-a-Year Tradition into a Habit That Actually Helps

The good news is you don’t need to sit in a circle every night or write elaborate thank-you notes in perfect cursive. Gratitude sticks best when it’s simple.

A few research-backed ways to weave it into everyday life:

• Jot down a few things you’re grateful for a couple of times a week. People who do this report more happiness and less stress.
• Think of someone you never properly thanked and tell them. Email counts. In-person is ideal. A text is still better than nothing.
• Mentally thank someone. No stationery required.
• Notice small joys. Warm socks. A quiet morning. A cup of coffee that hits exactly right. Paying attention is half the practice.

What We’re Grateful For

At Amaze, we really are grateful for you. You give us the privilege of being part of your health journey, and we don’t take that lightly. This work matters to us because you matter to us.

We’re here for you this holiday season and every other day too. If you need support, advice, a medical check-in, or even just reassurance, your Amaze medical team is always just a tap away.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Amaze.

(We hope your gratitude practice starts with pie.)