Gratitude is more than just a buzzword we hear around Thanksgiving. It's a powerful tool that can significantly impact our overall wellness and our ability to handle responsibilities both at work and in our personal lives. But what exactly is gratitude, and how can we incorporate it into our daily routines without feeling overwhelmed?
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us focus on gratitude, family, and the joy of a delicious meal. But amidst the celebration, there’s one gift you might be overlooking: the gift of quality sleep. While carving the turkey and sharing thanks, don’t forget to carve out time for rest—because sleep is an essential ingredient of the secret sauce for thriving at home and in the workplace.
Managing your weight isn’t just about numbers on a scale; it’s about nurturing a body that enables you to thrive in life and at work. A healthy body supports greater energy, mental clarity, resilience, and confidence—all of which can positively influence your personal and professional experiences. But achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is less about being a certain waist size or achieving an ideal BMI and more about developing sustainable habits that promote overall wellness.
Voting and engaging in civil discourse provide numerous personal and professional benefits, enriching both your individual well-being and the workplace. While it’s normal to experience challenging emotions when discussing politics or taking a stand, these activities can boost resilience, empathy, and a sense of agency—all essential for personal wellness and effective, balanced workplace interactions. Here’s why this civic engagement matters and some tips to make the experience constructive and manageable, even for those who find it difficult.
I always feel appreciated when colleagues ask me about how things are going with sincerity. It's one thing to hear, "How's the research?" but much more meaningful when someone asks, "Did you hear back on that manuscript you submitted last week?" It shows that they actually care about what I'm doing, so I try to reciprocate and do the same back.
Several months ago, I started saying a prayer of gratitude every morning when I wake up. This is based on what President Nelson taught: “Each new morning is a gift from God. Even the air we breathe is a loving loan from Him. He preserves us from day to day and supports us from one moment to another. Therefore, our first noble deed of the morning should be a humble prayer of gratitude.” I start my prayer by thanking Heavenly Father for the air I breathe that is a loving loan from Him. Then I continue my prayer of gratitude. In my prayer, I thank God for BYU, for my colleagues at BYU, for the leadership at BYU, and for the students at BYU. Following my prayer, I read at least one verse and ponder it. I learned to do this based on what Elder Costa does: "When I wake up, instead of looking at my phone, I say a prayer. Even a simple prayer. Then I read a scripture. This helps me with my weekly covenant that I make as I partake of the sacrament to 'always remember Him.' When I begin my day with a prayer and a scripture, I can 'remember Him' when I do look at my phone. I can 'remember Him' when I face problems and conflicts, and I try to face them like Jesus would."
