A lot of people have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, but there's some news that may make you want to say thank you today and everyday! Research shows that people who feel grateful cope better, and have fewer health problems.
Pastor Kerwin Lee, senior pastor of Berean Christian Church, says thank you a lot.
"Not only is it a daily thing, it's hourly, for me. I give thanks for so much. I give thanks for my faith, I give thanks for my family. I give thanks for my wife, I give thanks for my children."
Pastor Lee may be onto something. Studies have shown that people who keep a daily gratitude journal, writing down what they're grateful for, feel more positive about their lives, feel better about their future, and report fewer symptoms of their illness than people who don't. Being grateful can even help you sleep better, and feel more rested.
If you don't have much to be grateful for, Lee says stop and think,
"The more you think about all of the things that could have happened to you," said Pastor Lee. "For the negative that did not happen, you can be thankful. The more you think about the people who would love to live the type of life you live, and they're not there for whatever reason, but you're there."
But, what if it's been a rough year? You've lost a job, a friend, your confidence. Lee says give thanks for the experience, and what you've learned from it, and look around you.
"Because regardless of the situation any of us find ourselves in, there is someone dealing with the same thing," he said. "There is someone who has dealt with and has overcome it. And there's someone who is not even there yet. And could it be that we're where we are, so that we can help other people?"
Researchers say the best way to be grateful is to practice. Sit down at the same time each day to write down four or five things you're thankful for, and stick up post-it notes to remind yourself.
If you're not where you mentally want to be this Thanksgiving, Pastor Lee says, trying thinking of it this way: you're a survivor.
"And know that through it all, you're still standing. It may have been rough, it may have gotten tough, but when it's all said and done, you're still here."
But one counselor being thankful can help you live a better life because you can't be both grateful and angry. So, imagining something good in your life can push away negative emotions.
Thursday, November 22 2012 9:41 AM EST2012-11-22 14:41:51 GMT
Holidays like Thanksgiving bring out the fun in many meteorologists. So what happens when those cute little animated turkeys attack your weather guy?
Holidays like Thanksgiving bring out the fun in many meteorologists. So what happens when those cute little animated turkeys attack your weather guy? Good Day Atlanta's Paul Milliken was lucky enough to find out.
Thursday, November 22 2012 8:31 AM EST2012-11-22 13:31:29 GMT
If you're serving turkey on your Thanksgiving table, you'll probably want to make sure it's presentable before you dig in!
If you're serving turkey on your Thanksgiving table, you'll probably want to make sure it's presentable before you dig in! That means knowing how to carve it, and our own Ron Gant was up for the challenge. He headed over to Cook's Warehouse to get the 4-1-1 on turkey carving.
Tuesday, November 20 2012 11:16 PM EST2012-11-21 04:16:06 GMT
Atlanta Hawks players and coaches joined forces with the United Way of Greater Atlanta on Tuesday to serve a Thanksgiving meal to 300 people in DeKalb County.
Atlanta Hawks players and coaches joined forces with the United Way of Greater Atlanta on Tuesday to serve a Thanksgiving meal to 300 people in DeKalb County.
Tuesday, November 20 2012 1:06 PM EST2012-11-20 18:06:15 GMT
Good Day Atlanta anchor Ron Gant, FOX 5 I-Team investigator Randy Travis and FOX 5 reporter George Franco joined other local anchors, reporters and celebrities to help prepare Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday.
Good Day Atlanta anchor Ron Gant, FOX 5 I-Team investigator Randy Travis and FOX 5 reporter George Franco joined other local anchors, reporters and celebrities to help prepare Thanksgiving meals for those in need on Tuesday.
Monday, November 19 2012 12:30 PM EST2012-11-19 17:30:47 GMT
It started as a friendly wager between colleagues. Now, two New York Times' writers have come together in a friendly competition to see who truly dominates the kitchen apron strings and the purse strings.
It started as a friendly wager between colleagues. Now, two New York Times' writers have come together in a friendly competition to see who truly dominates the kitchen apron strings and the purse strings.
Monday, November 19 2012 12:30 PM EST2012-11-19 17:30:38 GMT
Entertaining for the holidays is fun, but you want to be left with memories, not stains. Tim Thompson, known as Tipman Tim, has some great tips to keep things clean!
Entertaining for the holidays is fun, but you want to be left with memories, not stains. Tim Thompson, known as Tipman Tim, has some great tips to keep things clean!
Monday, November 19 2012 12:30 PM EST2012-11-19 17:30:01 GMT
It's time to pull out your old turkey fryer and get ready for another Thanksgiving meal. So how can you switch it up this year?
It's time to pull out your old turkey fryer and get ready for another Thanksgiving meal. So how can you switch it up this year? Leo Honeycut of Bruce Foods and the Cajun Injector dropped by Good Day to share a few tips and recipes.
Monday, November 19 2012 12:28 PM EST2012-11-19 17:28:22 GMT
The Thanksgiving meal is over, and you have plenty of leftovers. What do you do with them? Jennifer Levison, known as Souper Jenny, had a few recipes to turn those leftovers into something fantastic!
The Thanksgiving meal is over, and you have plenty of leftovers. What do you do with them? Jennifer Levison, known as Souper Jenny, had a few recipes to turn those leftovers into something fantastic!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:29:22 GMT
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:11 GMT
Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:24 GMT
When it comes to talking to doctors, a lot of us aren't exactly shooting straight. In fact, one survey found that almost 30 percent of patients admit to lying to their physician.
When it comes to talking to doctors, a lot of us aren't exactly shooting straight. In fact, one survey found that almost 30 percent of patients admit to lying to their physician. So, how much does your doctor really need to know?
Monday, May 20 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:03:26 GMT
Sutton Burnett's blog began as a way to share her story with friends and family. It's grown into something much deeper.
Drop in on your friend's Facebook pages and blogs and you'll probably see a lot of photos of their kids. Sutton Burnett's blog began as a way to share her story with friends and family. It's grown into something much deeper.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
