Berkshire Health Systems
  • Coronavirus Information Kiosk
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • COVID-19 Relief Fund for Berkshire Health Systems
  • Pay Your Bill Online
  • About Us
  • Employment
  • Coronavirus Information Kiosk
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • BMC Parking Maps
  • Advocacy for Access
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • BHS Blood Drawing Stations
  • BHS Bloodmobile
  • BHS Community Benefits Implementation Plan
  • BHS News
  • BHS Privacy Practices
  • BMC Community Benefits Report FY 2018
  • Fairview Hospital FY 2018 Community Benefit Report
  • BMC Medical Interpreters
  • Community Outreach Program
  • County Health Needs Assessment
  • Financial Counseling/Ayuda Financiera
  • Helpful Patient Tools
  • Medical Interpreters at Fairview
  • MedlinePlus
  • MedlinePlus en Espanol
  • One Medical Passport
  • Pay Your Bill Online
  • Pre-Surgical Assessment
  • Request a Medical Record
  • Send a Patient Greeting
  • Wellness Works Website - For BHS Employees & Spouses
  • Worksite Wellness
Berkshire Health Systems
  • Programs & Services
    • Addiction Services
    • Anesthesiology
    • Bariatrics
    • Better Start
    • Cancer Care
    • Cardiology
    • Diabetes Care
    • Emergency Care
    • Endoscopy
    • Healthy Steps
    • Home Care
    • Hospitalists
    • Kidney & Dialysis
    • Laboratory Services
    • Maternity
    • Neurology
    • Neurosurgery
    • Occupational Med
    • Orthopedics
    • Outreach
    • Pain Management
    • Pharmacy
    • Psychiatry
    • Pulmonary Care
    • Radiology
    • Rehabilitation
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Sports Medicine
    • Stroke Care
    • Surgery
    • Trauma Care
    • Travel Medicine
    • Urgent Care
    • Urology
    • Wellness
    • WIC Program
    • Women's Imaging
    • Wound Care
    • Patient & Visitor Information
    • Quality Care & Patient Safety
    • Calendar & Events
    • News
    • Maps & Directions
    • Ways to Give
    • Health Encyclopedia
    • Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA
    • Fairview Hospital, Great Barrington, MA
    • Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association
    • BHS Survey Module
  • Locations
    • Berkshire Medical Center
    • Fairview Hospital
    • North Adams Campus of BMC
    • BMC & Fairview Physician Practices
    • Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association
    • BHS Urgent Care
    • Long Term Care
    • BHS Laboratory - Blood Drawing Stations
  • Find a Physician
  • BHS Physician Practices
  • Medical Education
    • Message from Dr. Alex Sabo
    • Internal Medicine Residency
    • Surgery Residency
    • Osteopathic Medical Education
    • Psychiatry Residency
    • Dentistry Residency
    • Medical Students
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • School of Medical Technology
    • Schwartz Center Rounds
  • Coronavirus Information Kiosk
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • COVID-19 Relief Fund for Berkshire Health Systems
  • Pay Your Bill Online
  • About Us
  • Employment
Giving Thanks Pittsfield, Massachusetts (MA) - Berkshire Health Systems
  1. Home
  2. Programs & Services
  3. Community Outreach Program
  4. Health Take-Away
  5. Giving Thanks

Health Take-Away

Health Take-Away

  • Alcohol's Impact on Breast Cancer Risk
  • Acupuncture Can Help with Relief in Breast Cancer Care
  • Breast Reconstruction Surgery Journey is Personal
  • Building Your Immunity during COVID-19
  • Emotional Toll of COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Anti-Body Testing: What It Tells You What It Won't
  • Treating Varicose Veins
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: What is OMM
  • Know Your Audiology Options
  • Pets as Therapists
  • Reducing the Stigma of Substance Use Disorder
  • Be Kind to Your Heart
  • Headache Care
  • Managing Presenteeism
  • Don't Struggle with Resolutions
  • Enjoy the Holidays Through the Gift of Giving
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Save a Life, Lift Your Soul, Give Blood
  • Team Approach for Breast Cancer
  • Surviving Breast Cancer: A Journey
  • Hunger in the Berkshires
  • Vaccinations Help Avoid Needless Risks
  • Embrace Mindfulness
  • Low Carb High Fat Diet has Benefits
  • Probiotics Uses the Good Bugs to Fight the Bad Ones
  • Use the Power of Nature for Better Health
  • Unplug from Online for Better Health
  • Weight Loss Through Narrowing Your Eating Window
  • Mammography and Dense Breast Tissue
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction Disorder
  • Smoker or Former Smoker? Lung Cancer Screening is Recommended for You
  • Be Safe When Using Over the Counter Medications
  • Screenings for Colon Cancer
  • Thyroid Health Essential to Metabolism
  • Go for Nutrition that is Heart Healthy
  • High Blood Pressure and Ways to Lower It
  • Hospitalists: Your Around the Clock Caregiver
  • Weight Loss Surgery Has Lasting Impact
  • Can you Find Joy in the Holidays When Sick?
  • Coping with Holiday Depression
  • When Quitting Smoking You May Need to Try and Try Again
  • Vaginal Birth after C-Section
  • New Tool to Assess Breast Cancer Risk
  • Migraines: How to Treat Them
  • Vestibular Care: It's All in Your Ears
  • Prepare for a Healthy Trip Abroad
  • New Moms Encouraged to Breast Feed
  • Language Diversity Important to Healthcare
  • Latest Advances in Joint Replacement
  • Vaping and Nicotine Addiction
  • Urgent Care or Emergency Department
  • Free Medicare Wellness Visit
  • Rehabilitation from Stroke Onset
  • Life Threatening Stroke Can be Prevented
  • Mammography and MRI for Women with High Risk of Breast Cancer
  • Breaking the Silence on Kidney Disease
  • Stop Mindless Eating
  • Hospitals Working to Improve Heart Health
  • Your Healthy Gut Bacteria
  • Give Up Smoking in 2018
  • Healthy Resolutions for 2018
  • Healthy Giving for 2017
  • Concussions: Myths and Truths
  • Celebrate a Thankful & Healthy Holiday
  • Don't Die of Embarrassment: Get Screened for Colon Cancer
  • Don't Let the Flu Get You This Season
  • Advanced Cardiac Imaging
  • Chronic Wound Care
  • What is a Hospitalist?
  • Healthy Heart Rhythms
  • Wellness Coaching
  • Men's Health In Crisis
  • Prevent Stroke or Respond FAST
  • Walking to Good Health
  • Healing Through Acupuncture
  • Self Care is Our Future
  • Family Wellness - Play Together Stay Healthy Together
  • Rewriting Your Book of Life
  • Pre-Diabetes: A Wake-Up Call for Better Health
  • Overcoming Crisis With Resiliency
  • Stepping Off the Slippery Slope
  • Sleep & Wellness: Learning to Cherish Your Sleep
  • Kicking the Habit and Ending the Fear
  • High Blood Pressure: One of the Few Things in Life We Can Control
  • Friendship is Powerful Medicine
  • It's Flu Season: Get the Vaccine!
  • The Healing Power of Gratitude
  • Where's the Joy?
  • New Year's Resolutions to Live By
  • Preventing Falls: A Leading Health Risk for the Older Population
  • Staying Healthy in the Office
  • Exercising at Home and Staying Fit in the Winter
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation: Regaining a Healthier and Better Life
  • Nutrition & Exercise: Two Great Gifts for Children
  • A Screening That Has Saved More than a Million Lives
  • How Walking Can Change Your Life
  • Injury-Free Sports & Activities
  • Have a Healthy Summer
  • Head to a Farmers' Market
  • Just Breathe
  • Lyme Disease Facts
  • Mindful Eating
  • Empathy in Healthcare
  • Preparing Your Family for an Emergency
  • Helping Someone to Cope with Opioid Addiction
  • Breast Cancer Awareness: Mammograms Save Lives
  • Antibiotic Resistance
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Giving Thanks
  • Healthy Holidays
  • Alcohol's Impact on Breast Cancer Risk
  • Acupuncture Can Help with Relief in Breast Cancer Care
  • Breast Reconstruction Surgery Journey is Personal
  • Building Your Immunity during COVID-19
  • Emotional Toll of COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Anti-Body Testing: What It Tells You What It Won't
  • Treating Varicose Veins
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: What is OMM
  • Know Your Audiology Options
  • Pets as Therapists
  • Reducing the Stigma of Substance Use Disorder
  • Be Kind to Your Heart
  • Headache Care
  • Managing Presenteeism
  • Don't Struggle with Resolutions
  • Enjoy the Holidays Through the Gift of Giving
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Save a Life, Lift Your Soul, Give Blood
  • Team Approach for Breast Cancer
  • Surviving Breast Cancer: A Journey
  • Hunger in the Berkshires
  • Vaccinations Help Avoid Needless Risks
  • Embrace Mindfulness
  • Low Carb High Fat Diet has Benefits
  • Probiotics Uses the Good Bugs to Fight the Bad Ones
  • Use the Power of Nature for Better Health
  • Unplug from Online for Better Health
  • Weight Loss Through Narrowing Your Eating Window
  • Mammography and Dense Breast Tissue
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction Disorder
  • Smoker or Former Smoker? Lung Cancer Screening is Recommended for You
  • Be Safe When Using Over the Counter Medications
  • Screenings for Colon Cancer
  • Thyroid Health Essential to Metabolism
  • Go for Nutrition that is Heart Healthy
  • High Blood Pressure and Ways to Lower It
  • Hospitalists: Your Around the Clock Caregiver
  • Weight Loss Surgery Has Lasting Impact
  • Can you Find Joy in the Holidays When Sick?
  • Coping with Holiday Depression
  • When Quitting Smoking You May Need to Try and Try Again
  • Vaginal Birth after C-Section
  • New Tool to Assess Breast Cancer Risk
  • Migraines: How to Treat Them
  • Vestibular Care: It's All in Your Ears
  • Prepare for a Healthy Trip Abroad
  • New Moms Encouraged to Breast Feed
  • Language Diversity Important to Healthcare
  • Latest Advances in Joint Replacement
  • Vaping and Nicotine Addiction
  • Urgent Care or Emergency Department
  • Free Medicare Wellness Visit
  • Rehabilitation from Stroke Onset
  • Life Threatening Stroke Can be Prevented
  • Mammography and MRI for Women with High Risk of Breast Cancer
  • Breaking the Silence on Kidney Disease
  • Stop Mindless Eating
  • Hospitals Working to Improve Heart Health
  • Your Healthy Gut Bacteria
  • Give Up Smoking in 2018
  • Healthy Resolutions for 2018
  • Healthy Giving for 2017
  • Concussions: Myths and Truths
  • Celebrate a Thankful & Healthy Holiday
  • Don't Die of Embarrassment: Get Screened for Colon Cancer
  • Don't Let the Flu Get You This Season
  • Advanced Cardiac Imaging
  • Chronic Wound Care
  • What is a Hospitalist?
  • Healthy Heart Rhythms
  • Wellness Coaching
  • Men's Health In Crisis
  • Prevent Stroke or Respond FAST
  • Walking to Good Health
  • Healing Through Acupuncture
  • Self Care is Our Future
  • Family Wellness - Play Together Stay Healthy Together
  • Rewriting Your Book of Life
  • Pre-Diabetes: A Wake-Up Call for Better Health
  • Overcoming Crisis With Resiliency
  • Stepping Off the Slippery Slope
  • Sleep & Wellness: Learning to Cherish Your Sleep
  • Kicking the Habit and Ending the Fear
  • High Blood Pressure: One of the Few Things in Life We Can Control
  • Friendship is Powerful Medicine
  • It's Flu Season: Get the Vaccine!
  • The Healing Power of Gratitude
  • Where's the Joy?
  • New Year's Resolutions to Live By
  • Preventing Falls: A Leading Health Risk for the Older Population
  • Staying Healthy in the Office
  • Exercising at Home and Staying Fit in the Winter
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation: Regaining a Healthier and Better Life
  • Nutrition & Exercise: Two Great Gifts for Children
  • A Screening That Has Saved More than a Million Lives
  • How Walking Can Change Your Life
  • Injury-Free Sports & Activities
  • Have a Healthy Summer
  • Head to a Farmers' Market
  • Just Breathe
  • Lyme Disease Facts
  • Mindful Eating
  • Empathy in Healthcare
  • Preparing Your Family for an Emergency
  • Helping Someone to Cope with Opioid Addiction
  • Breast Cancer Awareness: Mammograms Save Lives
  • Antibiotic Resistance
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Giving Thanks
  • Healthy Holidays

Giving Thanks

Giving thanks can bring a bounty of good health
By Maureen L. Daniels, MEd 

The celebration of Thanksgiving is much more that an American ritual, a once-a-year gathering of our families around the dinner table. Thanksgiving is a powerful symbol of the healing effects of gratitude in our everyday lives. It shifts our focus from what we don’t have to what we do have. It takes us out of a material mindset and reminds us of what’s truly important.  

Scientific studies have shown that an attitude of gratitude creates positive changes in our physical and mental health, increasing our serotonin production, decreasing depression, boosting our immune system and reducing stress.  In one study, psychologists Robert Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Michael McCullough of the University of Miami asked two sets of participants to write a few sentences each week in a simple journal. One group wrote about things they were grateful for during the previous week. The second wrote about daily irritations or things that displeased them. After 10 weeks, those who had cultivated a grateful outlook:

  • Felt better about their lives as a whole
  • Experienced greater levels of joy and happiness
  • Felt optimistic about the future
  • Got sick less often
  • Exercised more regularly
  • Had more energy, enthusiasm, determination and focus
  • Slept better and awoke feeling refreshed
  • Enjoyed closer family ties
  • Were more likely to help others and offer emotional support
  • Experienced fewer symptoms of stress

In other words, gratitude helps us focus on and attract what we really want in life. It helps build and heal our relationships. It reduces negativity and improves our outlook. It helps us learn what truly matters. So, how do we achieve that level of gratitude and avoid the pitfalls of negative thinking in the face of personal, physical and financial challenges? 

It’s actually very easy, although it takes practice and discipline to train our brains. Experts have much to say about the power and practice of gratitude, and their collective recommendations can be followed through these three simple steps: 

  1. Keep a daily short list or journal of three things for which you are grateful.

Each day for a period of three weeks, write down three things, big or small, that come to mind. Who or what inspired you today? What brought you happiness? What created comfort and peace in your life? It doesn’t have to be profound. It could be as simple as the warmth of your living room or the smell flowers in spring, or as meaningful as the love of your life’s partner. You don’t need a fancy journal; you can jot down these thoughts on a little pad of paper on your nightstand. As time goes on, re-read them, remember them, cherish them. 

  1. Express your gratitude to others in writing.

Make a list of at least five people who have had a profound impact on your life. Choose one and write a thank you letter expressing gratitude for what that person has done for you or what that person means in your life. You can mail it, though hand delivery would add more impact. Studies have shown that recipients of such letters are deeply touched, often having no idea what effect he or she had had on the person sending it. Once you’ve written that one, go to the next person on your list and do the same. 

  1. Take a gratitude walk.

This is something you could even start on Thanksgiving Day after your big meal. Set aside 20 minutes or so and walk in your neighborhood, through a park or somewhere in nature. Bring your list if it’s helpful. Reflect on the many things for which you are grateful, including the body that allows you to experience this journey and the mind that allows you to be thankful for this day, this moment and all that you have. 

Maureen L. Daniels, MEd, is Director of Wellness at Work at Berkshire Health Systems.

 

 

 

  •   (413) 447-2000
  •   Email - General Inquiries Only
  •   Email - BMC Patient Experience
  •   Email - BHS Physician Practices
  •   Email - Fairview Hospital Inquiries
  • Employment at BHS
  • About Us
  • 2018 BMC Report on Cancer
  • Quality Care & Patient Safety
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • Awards & Accreditations
  • BHS Community Outreach
  • BHS Bloodmobile
  • BMC FY 2018 Community Benefits Report
  • Fairview FY 2018 Community Benefits Report
  • Ways to Give
  • Give Us Your Feedback

© 2021 Berkshire Health Systems

725 North Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

  • News
  • Privacy Practices
  • Practicas De Privacidad
  • Site Map
  • BHS Privacy Practices
  • Contact Us