'Tis the season for gratitude
Dec. 03, 2025
Research shows that gratitude can lower stress and improve mood. And what’s great is that building this muscle feels good! This is the perfect skill to cultivate during this holiday season when things sometimes can feel a bit blue.
Need a little help getting in the gratitude spirit? Here are a few resources that might help.
- Join the Gratitude Challenge. It’s not too late to join the Gratitude Challenge hosted by Office of the Attorney General Wellness Coordinator Jewell Smith. The Gratitude Challenge offers a moment to pause, reflect and be inspired—no experience needed, just curiosity and an open heart.
Each Monday this month, Smith and Buena Vida Program Manager Holly Cuozzo lead state employees in a 15-minute virtual session at 9 a.m. CT to get your week off to a good start. Register for the challenge.
After you register, you’ll receive an email each Monday morning with the following prompts for that session:
- a word of the day to focus your intention
- a positive affirmation to anchor your mindset
- a reflection prompt to explore your inner world
- a gratitude prompt to shift your attention to abundance
- a short mindfulness practice you can do alone or with a group
Retrain your brain with Learn to Live.
Learn to Live® gives you access to a digital mental health service that can help you make lasting changes at your own pace. Learn to Live is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on thoughts and actions and how adjusting those can positively impact a person’s state of mind. Find out more about Learn to Live.
- Pay it forward. Reflecting on the things you’re grateful for can improve your mental and physical well-being. Take the time this holiday season to reflect on the things you’re grateful for and share your thoughts and feelings with those around you. Who knows? You might start a gratitude trend!