As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on gratitude and mental health’s profound impact on our well-being. At Turning Winds, gratefulness isn’t just a seasonal sentiment; in fact, we see it as a cornerstone of emotional healing and growth for teens in our care.

Our recent podcast episode, featuring Clinical Director Jared Sartell and host Kevin Zundl, explored the transformative benefits of gratitude in fostering emotional resilience, improving mental health, and enhancing daily life. In this blog, we will share some insights on how we practice thankfulness in our daily activities and how you can embrace the power of gratitude at home.

The Role of Gratitude in Teen Mental Health and Overall Well-being

Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It’s a practice that rewires the brain to focus on the positive, offering numerous mental health benefits:

• Reduces Depression and Anxiety: Being grateful helps teens focus on their strengths and blessings, shifting focus away from feelings of sadness and worry. It boosts the production of dopamine and serotonin, neurochemicals in the brain associated with happiness and a sense of well-being. By practicing gratefulness, we stimulate our brains and activate neurological pathways, promoting the release of dopamine, which contributes to that ‘feel good” sensation.

• Improves Sleep Quality: Reflecting on positive moments promotes relaxation and better rest, which are essential for maintaining emotional balance and mental health. Quality sleep allows the brain to recharge, improving focus, mood, and resilience. This is exceptionally important for teens who are going through so many physical and emotional changes.

• Boosts Overall Well-Being: A thankful mindset nurtures joy and resilience, even in challenging times. This sense of well-being directly supports mental health by reducing stress and fostering a more positive outlook.
• Raises Self-esteem and Builds Resilience: Recognizing the good in your life and the world around you fosters a sense of self-worth and strengthens your ability to cope with challenges. This, in turn, strengthens mental health by increasing emotional resilience and empowering teens to face challenges with new-found confidence and optimism.

These benefits highlight why cultivating a spirit of appreciation can transform adolescents’ mental health and overall happiness.

How Turning Winds Integrates Practices of Thankfulness into Teen Therapy

We believe that the thankfulness exercises should be woven into daily life. One of the first assignments for new clients in our care is keeping a mindfulness reflection journal where we track the things and people for which we are grateful. Every day, they are expected to take the time to write down at least two things they’re thankful for each day; recognizing and appreciating the good things in their lives is a practice that helps them learn to shift their perspective and develop a habit of mindfulness.

As Jared Sartell shared on the podcast, this simple exercise is often transformative.

“Gratitude helps students adjust to their new environment and see the world differently,” Jared explains. “It’s a practice rooted in positivity and connection.”

Building Emotional Resilience Through Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling is a core part of our program because it offers so many benefits. Teens who engage in this practice often:

• Shift Perspectives: They learn to focus on the good in their lives, even during difficult times.
• Build Resilience: Being grateful strengthens their ability to cope with challenges.
• Strengthen Relationships: Expressing appreciation and acknowledging what’s good in our lives, especially in relation to those we are close to, fosters more positive connections with family and peers.

The Holiday Season: Joy, Connection and Celebrating Gratefulness

Though the holidays can be challenging for teens away from family, our nurturing environment is designed to foster joy and connection. Our Thanksgiving celebration exemplifies how we foster thankfulness and appreciation among our students.

• Community Engagement: Teens participate in activities that emphasize teamwork and giving back, such as volunteering at the local food bank.
• Family Connections: We facilitate meaningful communication between students and their families, bridging the physical distance with emotional closeness.
• Festive Gatherings: From sharing meals to enjoying music and games, our holiday events create a warm, supportive atmosphere that contrasts with the stigma often associated with treatment.

Four Practical Ways to Help Your Teen Embrace The Power of Being Thankful at Home

You can help your family embrace mindful appreciation with these simple practices:

• Start to track thankful reflections in a journal: Encourage your teen to jot down one or two things they’re grateful for each day.
• Implement a new Thankful Reflection Ritual: Share what you’re thankful for during meals or family gatherings.
• Practice Mindful Appreciation: Reflect on the good in your life during your daily commute or quiet moments.
• Learn to Appreciate Nature: Spend time outdoors, noticing the beauty in your surroundings.

We encourage you to try to incorporate one of these practices into your family’s routine. Don’t wait until the next Thanksgiving; start this week. 

How Appreciation and Resilience Transforms the Lives of Our Students

Being grateful is a simple yet transformative practice that has the power to heal and inspire. This transformation in our students becomes evident as they develop resilience, strengthen relationships, and embrace hope. Want to be inspired? We invite you to watch the video testimonials on our YouTube channel. 

If your family is searching for support, we are here to help. Call us at 800-845-1380 or visit our website at turningwinds.com for resources and guidance.

Let’s express thanks and celebrate acts of gratefulness as a path to happiness and healing—for our teens, our families, and ourselves.

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