The approach of Thanksgiving invites us to reflect on gratitude, but for many, this season can highlight loss, stress, or uncertainty. If you find it hard to give thanks right now, you’re not alone. At Christian Counseling of South Tampa & North Tampa, we believe that gratitude-especially in difficult times-can be a powerful tool for hope and healing.

In our blog series Navigating Depression, we have looked at how to find hope in the darkness, breaking isolation,and using faith to redefine weakness. We will now explore how to practice gratitude and thankfulness to help navigate depression. While there are treatments available, some people may still struggle with the symptoms of depression. For those who are looking for complementary techniques to help, practicing gratitude and thankfulness can be a powerful tool to help navigate depression.

‘Tis the season!  Even though I say this, I am really not sure exactly of the meaning.  I don’t really talk that way any other time of the year either.  I don’t say, “‘Tis the summer,” for example.  Many times, I catch myself just moving through the motions during the holidays, never really thinking about it.  Don’t get me wrong, I like the welcoming warmth of what traditions bring.  I am saying, though, that giving some intentional thought before the main event of the celebration season begins may help as you move through them.