MELT AWAY STRESS

with genius pro secrets

You love everything about Thanksgiving, from the aroma of your grandmother’s heirloom recipes wafting through the kitchen to the little ones doing their best impression of a turkey trot in your living room. But this year, your mood is more than a bit tempered by new challenges, such as financial fears and canceled travel plans to see family. As a result, your dining table, typically brimming with loved ones, is much emptier—as is your “gratitude tank,” leaving you feeling stressed and depleted.

From boosting resilience to enhancing happiness, you know the benefits of giving thanks, yet fear and uncertainty are overshadowing your attempt to summon the hallmark emotion of the holiday season. Instead of faking this positive mindset, it’s important to recognize your struggles. “You’ve been inundated with reasons why gratitude is good for you,” notes psychologist Jill Stoddard, Ph.D. “But it’s only beneficial if it’s genuine—it’s actually more stressful to pretend to feel thankful.”

Indeed, reaping the rewards of this joyful outlook is a matter of being honest with your emotions. “Those who score higher on tests for authenticity also score higher on gratitude,” reveals Stephen Joseph, Ph.D., author of Authentic. Rather than trying to force yourself to feel something you don’t, the key to refilling your heart with gratitude, he says, is simply to begin with the intention to notice a few small, good things around you. Read on for easy and uplifting strategies proven to restore thankfulness this Thanksgiving.