Stay Grounded This Thanksgiving

The holiday season often arrives with a mix of warmth and overwhelm; family dynamics, expectations, memories, or even the pressure to “feel grateful” when life hasn’t been gentle.As Thanksgiving approaches, many people find themselves juggling gratitude with exhaustion, stress, or emotional heaviness.

One grounding practice I teach clients during this time is the GLAD Technique.It’s simple, accessible, and gently shifts you back into the present moment without demanding false positivity.

🍂 What Is the GLAD Technique?

GLAD is an evidence-supported mindfulness tool that uses four small prompts to help regulate overwhelming emotions and reconnect with the mind–body experience.

• G — Something you’re grateful forThis isn’t about big, sweeping gratitude. It’s about noticing the everyday goodness your nervous system might skip over — warm socks, a safe drive home, or someone checking in on you.

• L — Something you learnedThis could be something about yourself (“I’m more tired than I realized”), a skill, or even a realization about a boundary you need. Learning helps you feel empowered rather than reactive.

• A — Something you accomplishedMany accomplishments don’t look like gold stars.Sometimes the accomplishment is: I didn’t shut down today.Or I fed myself even though it was a hard day.Holidays often magnify our stress — acknowledging small wins builds self-trust.

• D — Something that delighted youThis might be a scent you liked, a laugh you shared, a song that lifted you, or a moment that made your shoulders drop. Delight reconnects you to joy in a gentle, authentic way.

You don’t have to feel grateful for everything.You don’t have to minimize your feelings.You’re allowed to hold both joy and heaviness at the same time.

GLAD simply helps you create room for the pieces of your life that are supporting you even if they’re small.