Thanksgiving promises more than just a bountiful feast — it’s an opportunity to cherish moments with your family. 

Why not elevate this occasion by incorporating a “gratitude walk” with your family? Discover the benefits of this gratitude practice and how you can best enjoy it with your loved ones.

What is a Gratitude Walk, Anyway?

A gratitude walk is exactly what it sounds like — it allows people to reflect on all the things they have to be grateful for. It helps promote a positive outlook in life and manifest life goals. You go out, walk without distractions, and recite everything you’re thankful for — from the sun shining to the food you enjoy daily. It’s an excellent practice that makes people aware of their blessings. 

Going for a gratitude walk as a family in the morning or after dinner on Thanksgiving Day can be a great bonding experience. Spending time with nature where you, your partner, and your children are free to explore can make it easier for you to find things to be grateful for.

Why Should You Give It a Go?

The great thing about taking gratitude walks is that you get the benefits of usual walking, plus the good things it can bring to your mental health and relationships:

• Improves overall mood: Going for a gratitude stroll can uplift your spirits and decrease feelings of anger and stress
• Helps maintain healthy weight: Strolling can help burn extra calories and prevent muscle loss. 
• Aids better sleep: Enjoy a good night’s sleep after a gratitude stroll. It helps enhance the effects of melatonin, which positively impacts your quality and length of sleep.
• Helps alleviate joint pain: Even a short stroll this Thanksgiving Day can help improve your range of motion and blood circulation.
• Strengthens family bond: One of the best things about taking a gratitude walk as a family is that it’s a bonding moment. Walking side by side and telling each other that you’re thankful for their existence — no matter the pace — is a great way to catch up and get closer together.
• Allows you to appreciate life better: A gratitude walk lets you slow down and connect with nature, your loved ones, and yourself. Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, this simple stroll can help you appreciate your well-being, the existence of your family, and the beauty of nature.

To get the most out of your gratitude walk, stroll for at least 30 minutes on Thanksgiving Day. This short exercise will help decrease the risk of chronic illnesses like osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Preparing Your Family for a Gratitude Walk

Make this stroll more meaningful for the whole family with these preparation tips.

1.   Choose a Time and Place

Everyone will likely be busy preparing for Thanksgiving Day dinner. Talk with your family ahead of time about blocking time off for this activity. Once settled, choose a quiet place with limited or no distractions.

2.   Set an Intention

Like creating any goal, determine what you want to accomplish during and after the gratitude walk. For example, “Let this walk remind me of the mundane things I should be thankful for. I want this walk to elevate my connection with myself, nature, and my loved ones.” You can also prepare a mental list of everything you’ll recite during your stroll.

3.   Pick Your Pace

You can go about this walk in two ways — the first entails a continually moving pace, with the whole family expressing their gratitude. The second includes a slower pace for a more contemplative practice that allows you and your loved ones to take turns sharing appreciation. Choose one that your family will better appreciate.

4.   Reconnect With Nature

As you walk, allow yourself to revel in the beauty of nature — the fresh air, towering trees, chirping birds, and the ground — and tread mindfully while keeping your head high and spine long. Allow yourself to break free from stress and surrender slowly to nature.

5.   Find Your Pace

As you walk with your family, express something you’re thankful for. You can take turns sharing things you’re grateful for. Take this opportunity to check in on your children — how they’ve been doing and what you can do for them to better appreciate the beauty of life.

6.   Provide a Prompt 

When taking a gratitude walk with your family, external noise can distract the kids from the gratitude practice. To keep them engaged, provide them with a prompt. For instance, ask them, “What do you see or feel every day that you are thankful for?”

7.   Adjust Walking Time

Adjust the length of the walk depending on the attention span of your children. If they get easily distracted, aim for a shorter but meaningful stroll. If you want to spend more time outside, develop interactive gratitude activities to keep them engaged throughout the practice. 

8.   Find Gratitude in This Special Moment

After the meaningful gratitude stroll, pause and take a moment to appreciate the existence of yet another thing we usually take for granted — family. Express what you are most thankful for each one, and share a hug. The fact that you experience this contemplative moment with them is worth celebrating. 

Enjoy a Gratitude Walk This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving only happens once a year, and scheduling a gratitude walk can make it extra special. Dedicate this day to giving thanks for all the great things in your life — small and large — through a gratitude walk with your family. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to get home feeling happier and more contented!