Photo by Askar Abayev from Pexels Carin Kreutzer and Leah Buturain Schneider of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology provided Thanksgiving ideas that help both the mind and the body.

Remember to Express Gratitude

Gratitude is beneficial to your health. According to research, it may lower blood pressure, reduce depression, and enhance quality of life.

Buturain Schneider, a gerontologist, theologian, and mindful aging specialist at USC, remarked, "Gratitude works."

But, she says, thankfulness is a habit that may be practiced every day of the year, not an emotion. "You may increase your gratitude consciousness by discussing what you are grateful for or by telling them how much you appreciate them." Expressing this helps us heal gaps, links us to the sacrifices of others, and enables us to perceive plenty rather than scarcity."

Serve Up Solid Partnerships

Recently, social isolation has been identified as potentially more hazardous to health than smoking or obesity. Despite the hassles of travel and the stress of family relationships, Thanksgiving fosters community through fostering shared experiences with family and friends, as well as accepting strangers.

"Most individuals say they wish to stay healthy until they are 80 years old. People claim that around the age of 80, what counts most is connections," Buturain Schneider added. "The Thanksgiving holiday is a poignant reminder of how sharing a meal with others can bring a feeling of camaraderie and belonging that many individuals, especially older persons, lack in their life."

Offer a Helpful Hand

Many homeless shelters and senior communities are overwhelmed with volunteers to offer Thanksgiving dinners. And, like thankfulness, research suggests that helping others may boost the giver's health.

"We feel most alive when we use our abilities to benefit others," Buturain Schneider remarked. "The issue is to create time in our life to do this all year so that recipients may show their thanks and get support on more than one occasion."

Body: Make Lunch Your Main Meal

Research is increasingly indicating that it is not simply what we eat, but also when we consume, that is important. Many families eat their Thanksgiving dinner in the afternoon rather than the evening, which is a start in the right direction for all days, according to nutritionist Kreutzer, head of the USC Leonard Davis School's Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity program.

"Our bodies are more effective at burning calories throughout the day while we are active than they are at storing extra calories as fat when we sleep." Front-loading calories allows you to absorb all of those calories well before night, which may help with weight reduction and general health, including managing and avoiding diabetes and obesity."

After Meals, Get Moving

Thanksgiving provides yearly chances to exercise, from local Turkey trots to family flag football games. Moderate daily movement, in addition to a balanced diet, is a proven intervention that may lower the risk for a range of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.

"Thanksgiving is an excellent time to start incorporating activity into your daily routine." A daily walk or other sort of activity is beneficial to both the body and the mind."

Keep Some Leftovers

Some folks prefer the turkey sandwich on Friday to the main course on Thursday. Whatever you decide, it's critical to distribute the reward. Practicing portion management at each meal helps us avoid eating too much in one sitting.

"Three to four ounces of protein is plenty for most individuals," Kreutzer says. "Saving food for the following several days helps you to enjoy the meal numerous times and avoids consuming too many calories all at once."