11/26/2025
Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and the Nervous System
This time of year always makes me think about gratitude — mostly because Thanksgiving tells us we should feel thankful. But real gratitude? For me, it’s work. It’s something I have to practice on purpose. It doesn’t show up on its own.
And if you’ve been in the clinic with me, you’ve probably played along when I say, “Okay, three things you’re grateful for — I’ll go first.”
Or when you list five things going wrong and finally mention one tiny thing that’s going well… and I jump in with, “I’ll take that as a win!”
It’s not just optimism. Those tiny moments actually shift how the nervous system processes stress, pain, and movement. When the system is stuck in protection mode, everything tightens. Muscles guard. Balance feels off. Pain climbs. Movement gets rigid and cautious.
But when we create even a small shift — a softer breath, a small win, a moment of appreciation — the body responds. Muscles let go a little. Movement feels easier. The brain becomes more willing to try, adapt, and build new patterns.
That’s when the real progress in PT happens.
Lately, I’ve been practicing a few tiny things myself:
• Noticing one thing my body let me do that day
• Taking a second during a workout to appreciate that I get to move
• Pausing before reacting when frustration hits
Simple ideas — not always easy.
But they make the darker months feel a little lighter.
If this season feels heavy, you’re not alone. Tiny shifts matter. Your body is doing its best.
Enjoy the holiday weekend ❤️
