Covid, Cage and Gratitude

Today is day 6 of Covid for me.  My entire family and significant others all came down with Covid within days of each other.  Thank goodness we are a close family or it could have been even more uncomfortable than just being sick.  You see, we all live together in our 1300 square foot home.  My two adult kids plus significant others moved in over the last 6 months.  To be honest, it has been wonderful.  I love having the chance to be with my kids as much as possible.  When they all moved out, it took a long time to adjust to not seeing them and talking to them everyday.  I know they have to go out and live their lives but I am grateful for just a bit more time with them. So, not so strangely, I am reveling in being quarantined with everyone, reveling in this rare opportunity where I get to spend uninterrupted days with them.  I am grateful - grateful we are in a position to have everyone, here and safe. Grateful to have supportive jobs, family and friends.  Our cup runneth over…I am keenly aware of the millions of lives lost and shattered due to Covid and I am grateful we haven’t become part of the statistics.  

This is not to say we haven’t been ill.  This new variant of Covid is nasty.  I’ve had all my vaccinations and boosters and am still this sick!  I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.  Body aches, fever, sore throat, cough, congestion, digestive issues, brain fog, it hasn’t been a picnic but gratitude keeps me afloat - well that and our Nicolas Cage themed movie nights.

Honestly, I don’t remember when I discovered how focusing on gratitude helps through difficult times.  Whenever life throws me a curve ball, I start counting my blessings.  Looking for what is still good in my life, even if it is something small, like soft tissues for my sore nose.  Feeling grateful makes me feel better.  If gratitude were a religion, I’d be a devotee. Over the last few years, gratitude has become a self help buzz word, practicing gratitude is now an activity and there are a plethora of books on the topic.  Numerous studies have been done on the benefits of practicing gratitude that show everything from improved physical and mental health to increased happiness in study participants. A quick google search reveals an abundance of articles on the topic. If you are interested in reading more about the positive benefits of a gratitude practice, I have included links to three articles below.

So, in honor of gratitude, this Sunday I will be combining my two favorite feel good activities, Yoga Nidra and Gratitude.  Looking to cultivate some gratitude or just relax into the high vibes of gratitude?  Check out this Sunday’s Yoga Nidra Zoom Class at 7 pm MDT.

Sign up here

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2019/03/practicing-gratitude

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier