CONNECT: November 21, 2014

Something to be Thankful for..... Spoiler Summary: Take a minute to count your blessings - it might just make you healthier! When I hear the phrase "you should count your blessings" I always think of my Mom.  I'm not really sure why, I don't actually remember her using that phrase so often....but maybe she did. I think it might be the image of the Thanksgiving table and the dreaded moment of having to come up with something to be thankful for or run the risk of keeping the entire family (there are lots of us) waiting - talk about your social pressure.   At the time, we of course thought it was just some silly thing her inner-schoolteacher couldn't let go of (this is still a possibility)....or maybe it was a ploy to get "us kids" to actually admit that we loved each other out loud (could be).  Or, maybe she just understood that taking a minute to say a meaningful thanks was as good for us....even if she wasn't sure why exactly. As it turns out, you SHOULD count your blessings.....in fact, we all probably should.  It's really good for you.  Not only because during this time of year it comes with good food, friends and a no-guilt reason to pass-out asleep on the couch...not only because it's an excuse to enjoy tradition and put up with the idiosyncratic nature of family & friends....and not only because, as it turns out, you're not eating actual yams, but sweet potatoes (thanks Matt R, this was new to me) but because all by itself, gratitude goes hand in hand with health; And if more recent findings about the current state of our health are correct, this time that our seniors were "sicker than their counterparts abroad" and have a harder time accessing care, we need continued diligence at helping ourselves as early as possible if we want to the enjoy the high quality of life we all work so hard to achieve. So, in the spirit of the holiday, I hope you'll take a minute to count your blessings....in fact, I hope you'll give yourself a dose of blessing-counting for ten weeks because if you do, you might just get the same response as the folks in this study did: not only a better outlook, but improved exercise habits and better health overall - pretty simple and pretty awesome. I hope your list of things to be grateful for is long and I hope you enter the unofficial beginning of holiday season with a bright and healthy outlook.  Thank you for taking the time to read this far....and thank you for investing in health, safety and prevention with your actions. On behalf of the entire team, have a great weekend and a wonderful Thanksgiving, Mike E.