A Prescription for Gratitude

Newswise — The holiday season may arrive for some people with an extra helping of stress this year, with a stock market in the tank, an economy in shambles and many worried about the future of their jobs. Given the state of things, that's not surprising, said Kevin Rand, assistant professor of psychology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

But people can alter their outlook, with a little work, said Rand, whose research focuses on the influences of hopeful and optimistic thinking on people's behaviors, and mental and physical health.

Here are some of his suggestions:

Be grateful. The whole point of Thanksgiving, he noted, is something that's gaining more attention in psychological research. Research shows that having people purposefully sit down and think about things in their life that they are grateful for improves their happiness and well-being. That is something many of us forget to do, Rand said.

Work at being happy. People are wired to notice the bad, rather than the good, Rand said. That makes sense because bad things -- like forgetting to watch for oncoming traffic when crossing a street -- can kill you. In our fantasy world, we want happiness to come naturally, but it doesn't, Rand said. You have to make an effort to be happy. You have to purposefully work at it and think about things that are right in your life.

Don't just stand there. If you are not feeling great, part of that may be you are not purposefully doing things to feel better. That includes stepping back and thinking the economy may be in shambles and the holidays can be stressful, but these following things are going well. It can be as simple as remembering how wonderful the giggle of a child or grandchild is.

Take a deep breath. The holidays come at the end of the year, often accompanied by a time crunch as people try to finish projects, particularly those whose who work on a bonus basis. Then there are the extra chores of buying gifts, which can be particularly difficult for those strapped financially. Rand encourages people to remind themselves about the original meaning of the holidays. It's not about the commercial goodies. If you can't afford to purchase gifts, make one, or write a note or a poem. People underestimate how much things like that are appreciated.

One of the secret truths, Rand says, is to do less and enjoy more. Slow down, focus on what you want to do and enjoy it more. Rand says a quote from his grandfather sums it up, "The slower you go, the faster you will get there."

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