Growing up, I was raised to always look for the silver lining — the element that makes a bad situation better, the hope, the reason to keep your head up and continue moving forward.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to identify and embrace your silver linings. A long-standing tradition during the Thanksgiving holiday is to gather with family and friends and share what you are most thankful for.

For some, this can be a challenge. Many are experiencing relationship dramas, work struggles and financial difficulties. I know many people who are currently overwhelmed by the never-ending influx of national and global news, resulting in anxiety and depression. When encountering these emotions or life experiences, it can be hard to find gratitude.

“While the idea of giving thanks during this time is seen as tradition, it’s also deeply rooted in psychological science, offering profound benefits to our mental health,” the Center for Anxiety and Behavior Management reported.

The center goes on to note gratitude “is a powerful, transformative tool for improving emotional well-being and life satisfaction.”

Finding the silver lining usually involves shifting your perspective to try and look at a situation differently. For example, a falling out with a friend or relative could have a silver lining of helping you set healthy boundaries with a toxic person. A dry turkey means it has been fully cooked, so no need to worry about food-borne illness.

It can be too easy to “not see the forest for the trees” and focus too much on the details happening right now in front of you. Consider taking a step back and trying to look at the bigger picture. What may be a problem right now can end up being a blessing in the future.

Additionally, people tend to pay more attention to the things going wrong in their lives and can miss the things that are going well. We need to make sure we save mental and emotional space for positivity as well.

The Center for Anxiety and Behavior Management reported regularly practicing gratitude can lower stress levels, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure and assist with better sleep.

“When we consistently cultivate a thankful mindset, our brains become wired to notice and appreciate the good more often, fostering resilience against life’s inevitable challenges,” the center said.

To help manage anxiety and stress, especially during the holiday season, Hope and Healing Counseling recommends a few tools, including mindful breathing, maintaining healthy boundaries, setting realistic expectations, limiting perfectionism, physical activity and staying connected to your support systems.

There is no need to repress or try to hide stress and anxiety during the holiday season. Identify what you are feeling, and work with it. If that means taking a step away for a few minutes or avoiding certain stressors, that is fine.

“Gratitude isn’t about ignoring the difficult part of life; instead, it’s about seeing the whole picture — the good as well as the challenges,” the Center for Anxiety and Behavior Management said. “It allows us to create a more balance and nuanced view of our circumstances, which is crucial for maintaining emotional health.”

This Thanksgiving, and the rest of the holiday season, make a conscious effort to cultivate good mental health practices. Make space for positivity, find your silver linings and enjoy your holiday season.

As classic sitcom psychologist Dr. Frasier Crane would say, “Wishing you all good mental health.”

Samantha Anderson

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press