Giving thanks is in the name of the annual feasting holiday of Thanksgiving. So why not add some to your 2024 celebrations? After all, cultivating gratitude can boost your mental and physical health.

On Thursday, both the hashtags #grateful and #thankful began trending on X in honor of Thanksgiving.

In the posts, both organizations and individuals shared what they're thankful for to mark the occasion.

Multiple studies have proven that giving thanks or expressing gratitude can be good for both your physical and mental health!

Gratitude can improve your sleep, lower stress levels, improve your relationships, and help you become more resilient.

This Thanksgiving, consider focusing on giving thanks by starting a gratitude journal, doing a round of thanks with your friends, or writing a gratitude letter.

Giving thanks doesn't have to be big, grand, or difficult. It can be as simple as writing down three things that you are thankful for at the moment. This is an exercise from positive psychology.

Yes, it's fair game to say you're thankful for your cat, the cup of coffee in your hand, and the sun on your face.

A bit of gratitude reflection goes a long way. In fact, one 2018 study proved that when adolescents kept a gratitude journal, they were less materialistic and more generous. Another study found that such journaling can help decrease symptoms of depression in some.

But experts note that it isn't about glossing over the difficult parts of life. It's not the same as toxic positivity – it's a method of being here and now, even when things are difficult.

Why not use Thanksgiving to kick off your list of "thank-yous" in the form of a gratitude journal?

Sharing what you're thankful for at the Thanksgiving table is a family tradition for some. But it's a discussion that can be extended to Friendsgiving, too.

There's power in sharing gratitude out loud.

For many a year, my Thanksgiving guests and I have gone around the table between the main meal and dessert to do a round of thanks.

Usually, by the end, I leave the table surprised by the abundance of things that come to my guests' minds. I'm thinking, “Wow, I could've said a bunch of other things, too!" and am filled with a stronger sense of overall gratitude.

Though, at our Thanksgiving table, we have one very important rule: you can't just be thankful for the food!

Positive psychology has found that writing a gratitude letter – and receiving one – has a great effect on both the writer and recipient's mood, as the New York Times reported.

The practice is simple: think of someone in your life who you have not had the chance to thank, and write them a letter.

Tell them why you are grateful for them, and be specific. Then, send them a letter or email. Better yet, read it to them in person!

Research has shown that both you and the person you write the letter to will be feeling pretty darn good.

This interaction may also strengthen the relationship you have with the person. So, for this Thanksgiving, you could give someone something to grin about.

There's no better holiday to start cultivating gratitude than Thanksgiving!