4 Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude This Holiday Season
Written by Sheilah Ledesma
As the holidays get closer, many people here in Fort Lauderdale find themselves feeling a mix of things—excited, tired, overwhelmed, hopeful, and sometimes just… stretched thin. If that’s where you are, you’re not alone.
One question I hear all the time is: “How do I stay grounded when this season brings up so much?”
Gratitude can be one of the gentlest, most accessible ways to steady yourself—without forcing positivity or pretending everything is fine. Real gratitude helps you reconnect with what matters, slow down, and feel a little more anchored in your day.
Here are four simple, meaningful ways to bring more gratitude into your life this season.
1. A Soft Morning Check-In
Instead of jumping straight into your to-do list, give yourself 30 seconds when you first wake up. No journaling, no pressure. Just pause and ask yourself:
“What’s one thing I appreciate in this moment?”
It might be your cozy sheets, your dog pacing around for breakfast, or simply that you made it to a new day. These tiny acknowledgments quietly shift your mood and help set the tone before the rush begins.
2. Notice the People Who Make You Feel Less Alone
Holiday gatherings can bring up a lot—family expectations, complicated dynamics, or memories that sit heavy. Practicing gratitude for the people who truly support you can soften some of the emotional rough edges.
Maybe send a quick text to someone who showed up for you this year:
“Hey, I just wanted to say I’m grateful for you.”
Reaching out doesn’t just warm their day—it supports your own sense of connection when things feel hectic.
3. Build in Moments of Rest (Even If They’re Small)
Here are a few examples:
Lying down for 10 minutes between tasks
Stepping outside during an event to breathe
Taking a break from holiday shopping to simply be still
Scheduling a “quiet night in” each week
Your nervous system benefits from rest in small, steady pulses.
3. Build a Gratitude Moment Into Something You Already Do
Choose one simple daily task—walking to your car, brewing coffee, washing your face—and pair it with a quiet gratitude reminder.
Something like:
“While I make my coffee, I’ll think of one thing that’s bringing steadiness into my life right now.”
This turns an ordinary moment into something grounding, without adding anything extra to your plate.
4. Use Gratitude as a Gentle Anchor When Stress Rises
When overwhelm hits—holiday traffic, family stress, financial pressure—gratitude can be a way to come back to yourself. Not to dismiss what’s hard, but to help you breathe through it.
Try asking:
“Even though this moment is stressful, is there one thing here that feels comforting or familiar?”
Sometimes that one small thing is enough to help your nervous system settle.
Your Next Step: You Don’t Have to Do the Holidays Alone
If you’re noticing any symptoms of emotional fatigue, dread, or a heavy mood creeping in as the holidays approach, therapy can absolutely help you feel more supported and grounded. Our practice offer a compassionate space to understand what’s weighing on you and build tools that help you move through the season with more steadiness and ease.
You deserve support—not just during the holidays, but year-round. Reach out to us to get started!
Call 754 308 5525 today!
