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This month, I’m all about taking the time to focus on being mindful and embracing gratitude -after all,  it is almost Thanksgiving.

SO what is mindfulness?  Simply, mindfulness is the ability to be present and calmly aware of what we do. 

Mindfulness is something we should all invest in, as it helps manage stress, anxiety, and depression. What’s more, it’s effortless once you get the hang of it!

Here are my top 5 tips on how to be mindful and embrace gratitude this Thanksgiving month:

1. Meditate - Simple but effective. When we think of mindfulness, we usually think about meditation. If I’m struggling with anything from being tired to a problem with work, I’ll take a few minutes out of my day and focus on my breathing. Meditation is key! 

If you need some help wrapping your mind around the idea of how to meditate, check out this book by the famous Deepak Chopra - Total Meditation: Practices in Living the Awakened Life

2. Essential oils - Oils have the power to change your state. I have experienced it first hand. I find it easy to be mindful once I have some sweet smells in the air. Try it! 

Get the ultimate set of 6 essentials oils here - Pursonic 100% Pure Essential Aromatherapy Oils Gift Set-6 Pack , 10ML(Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon grass, Orange, Peppermint, Tea Tree)

3. Try new things - Sometimes it’s difficult for us to embrace the present moment when we’re stuck in our own routine. Try something different and see how it helps you grow. This can be a new hobby, a new recipe, or even just a  new walking route.  

As Gail Sheehy said “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. And if we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”

Document your self-care journey in this excellent journal from Insights Editions - Self-Care: A Day and Night Reflection Journal (90 Days) (Inner World)

4. Enjoy the little things - Often, we forget to stop and smell the roses. On your next commute to work, wherever you may be, pause your playlist and take a moment to notice and look at the little things - they can be pretty beautiful! 

Andy Andrews’ bestseller is the best reminder of this. Check it out - The Little Things: Why You Really Should Sweat the Small Stuff

5. Say thank you more - Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving, but every day to someone in your life, whether it is to your barista, a friend, your mother, or everyone! And really mean it. We seem to say ‘sorry’ more than we say ‘thank you’. Let’s change this. 

The best gifts are the ones you don’t expect. Send someone a thank you gift. What about an Amazon Thank You Giftcard?