Eat Mindfully, Be Thankful

The last 11 of our 12 Healthy Habits program have focused on the tangible and practical—better diet choices, more exercise, and cooking. The last Healthy Habit is less about doing and more about being—being mindful and thankful in a season that, despite the barrage of commercialism, is still about both of those values.The two themes are interconnected. Mindfulness can help lower the anxiety associated with food during the holidays, a time when food should be about unity, love, friendships, and family but is often a source of stress. Second, thankfulness brings the "giving" theme back to center stage, because the natural by-product of a thankful attitude is a desire to share with others. Both are part of a healthy, well-rounded life all year long. But in this busy season, it takes a little extra mindfulness to keep them a priority.