Counting Our Blessings This Thanksgiving

At Murad, we are especially thankful for all the ways in which this has been a truly exceptional year. We celebrated our 25th anniversary, moved into our new state-of-the-art corporate global headquarters and opened our Flagship Store. But what are we MOST grateful for?

YOU.

You are part of the amazing community of people who make their lives Better Every Day by reaching for our products. We strive, thrive and evolve because of the love and support we receive every day from that community, and for that, we are deeply grateful.

The dictionary defines Thanksgiving as “the expression of gratitude.” Every year, millions of American families come together for Thanksgiving to give thanks and to celebrate family, friends and connection. Most of us don’t need any encouragement to gather and celebrate, but here’s one more reason to honor the Thanksgiving tradition—being grateful is actually good for you.

According to a growing body of research, gratitude has the strongest link with mental well-being of any character trait. So it really is good for your health to cultivate “an attitude of gratitude.” In addition to elevating our level of happiness, there are many other health benefits including:

Increased self-esteem
Improved sleep
Increased energy levels
Protection against stress, depression and anxiety
A stronger, healthier heart and immune system
Increased focus and productivity

“Happiness means finding beauty every day.” ~ Dr. Howard Murad

We encourage you, in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, to find beauty in gratitude. Here are some tips to help get you started.

5 Ways to Boost Your Gratitude

Say thank you more often. Let everyone around you, from the people who serve you in restaurants to those who share your life, know that you appreciate the big and small ways that they make life better.
Be present in the moment. Take the time to really focus on the person you are with, or the event that is happening in the moment. Stop to appreciate the sun on your face, the meal you are enjoying or the person sitting next to you.
Schedule gratitude moments. Book your moments in the morning to start your day on a grateful note or in the evening before bed to add peace to your sleep. Some people even schedule gratitude time like an appointment; or set an alarm on their smartphone as a reminder.
Avoid complaining or passing judgment for an entire day. When we judge and criticize others (and even ourselves) we cannot truly experience gratitude. Take control of your thoughts and notice how life gets better for you and those around you.
Start a gratitude journal. This is an oldie but a goodie. Write out at least 5 things each day that you appreciate. Your list doesn’t need to be life changing. It could be as simple as a roof over your head and food in your fridge—really gratitude acknowledges that nothing good should be taken for granted.

So pass the gratitude; it’s not just a recipe for a Happy Thanksgiving, it’s a recipe for life — to look, live and feel #BetterEveryDay. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!