By: Alina Bartasheva
Thanksgiving is a major holiday that is celebrated by most families in America. It is an exciting and relaxing time to gather with your loved ones and enjoy each other's company. Whether Thanksgiving is spent with blood relatives who you rarely see, or friends who you see every day, it is an enjoyable holiday many people value greatly. However, it is crucial to feel grateful all year around, even when life may seem bleak and as though there is nothing to appreciate, it is vital to be grateful for the little things you experience daily and might not even think twice about.
It is understandable that some students find it difficult to experience gratitude when they are struggling academically, feeling anxious about our country's political situation, or experiencing personal hardships. It is normal to feel the stress of studying weighing on you, and while it might seem like there is no end in sight for the lengthy final papers and seemingly endless exams being assigned only two weeks following Thanksgiving, it is still important for the benefit of your mental health to find things to be grateful for.
Simply being healthy, having the ability to spend time with family, and having a comfortable place to live are important aspects that should be acknowledged. Those things should never be taken for granted, because despite their simplicity and how used to them people might be, these things aren't guaranteed. Being enrolled in Baruch college is another major factor that people don't frequently cherish. Many people would love the opportunity to go to college, especially in New York City, but those who are used to receiving higher education and residing in New York often forget how truly lucky they are to be able to live the life that they live.
Gratitude is most emphasized during the Thanksgiving season, but it is important to feel appreciation for even the most minute and casual events in day to day life. This kind of mindset is positive and will provide you with a brighter and more optimistic outlook on daily experiences. Without stopping to appreciate the good things, it can be easy to get lost in a continuous pattern of negativity which can lead to depression. Finding events to look forward to, or treasuring something good that happened are small ways to severely improve your mentality.
It is comforting to know that there is always something to be thankful for. In turn, this means that there are many people who have it much worse, and are struggling a lot more during the holidays, a time period that should be filled with joy and happiness. Thats why helping others who are less fortunate is a great thing to do right now. Volunteering at local food kitchens, or donating clothing or other necessities to various drives, is a great way to help those in need. Additionally, donating money to charities is another great way to help.
It might be difficult to unwind and focus on having a good time during this holiday, particularly because Baruch students are approaching the conclusion of the fall semester, but it is the best thing for your mental and emotional well being to allow yourself a couple of days to rest. After all, the hard work and dedication throughout the whole semester should be rewarded with a fun and restful weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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