Thanksgiving is a celebration of gratitude for the abundance we have in our lives; our family, friends, and plenty of delicious food.

What better time to step fully into your mindfulness practice with the essence of Thanksgiving itself. When thinking about mindfulness, we often visualize someone meditating in solitude or holding a complicated yoga pose on the beach, but mindfulness can be brought in any time, any where… 

So how do we bring about more intention, gratitude, mindfulness, and presence into Thanksgiving and any given moment? An easy way to bring about mindfulness is to stimulate the 5 senses we already possess.

Here are 5 easy ways to bring your mindfulness practice to the Thanksgiving table by simply stimulating your senses and tuning in.

#1

Sight 

With sight, think about taking in the very ambience of your holiday table. Could you light candles, polish silverware, bring out your best china, add seasonal decor to the table, or have the fireplace on? How can you add more visual stimulation to your celebration?

Even taking a walk before or after your Thanksgiving meal is an active opportunity to enjoy the changing colors of the season at hand.

#2

Sound

Light music and meaningful conversation can shift our energy, lift our spirits, and bring meaning to the moment we find ourselves in. With life keeping us busy, slow down the clock by listening intently to the person or child that speaks to you.

#3

Smell

Appreciate the smells of all the dishes being made on Thanksgiving. Whether it is the strong smell of turkey wafting through the kitchen or a hint of cinnamon, notice aromas to bring about added mindfulness. A wood-burning fireplace, scented candles, or the fresh crispness of the outdoors can also bring in the present moment with a deep inhale in…

#4

Taste

Bring in mindfulness with the cornucopia of foods all around you. Close your eyes, distinguish spices and ingredients, and feel gratitude for the time and effort someone took (even yourself if you did the cooking!) to make such a special meal. The bounty of dishes on a Thanksgiving table is not only a beautiful sight to see, but also an opportunity to explore an abundance of flavors in one sitting.

#5

Touch

Even this last sense can be stimulated at this time. A warm embrace from someone you love, holding hands saying a blessing, petting your furry friends at your feet, soft linens and textures of the table, and even the cozy sweater you are bundled in are sensations to embrace to bring about even more mindfulness.

A very Happy Thanksgiving from my table to yours. May you be safe, healthy, and well.

Looking for Thanksgiving Recipe Inspiration?

Parsnip “Mashed Potatoes”

Grain-Free Chestnut and Mushroom Stuffing.