Another year has passed! Christmas is here. What a wonderful time of year to be in Houston. I love the cool weather, the lights, the decorations, and the music. I feel the Christmas spirit and it warms my heart. It is a time of giving and a time of gratitude. For the health tip this month, I want to encourage us all to take some time to be grateful.
Why should I be grateful? Believe it or not, scientists have investigated the health benefits of being grateful for quite some time. Some of these benefits are the natural result of having a positive attitude. Those who are grateful tend to have better protective health behaviors, such as regular exercise, doctors visits, and a healthy diet. But the attitude of gratitude will also decrease your level of stress.
Cultivating feelings of thankfulness can tremendously improve how you cope with your problems and the stresses of life. Optimism comes with gratitude. Research has shown optimism can actually improve your immune system. Immune cells and healing time improve for those with a positive and grateful attitude. It would be wise for each of us to find time each day to be grateful. We can all find something to be grateful for.
I am grateful for my position at MedCenter TMJ, and to work alongside Dr. Auvenshine. He is a man who truly cares for his patients. We are all so blessed to have his influence in our lives. It is his persistence and hard work that has made MedCenter TMJ possible. So many lives have benefited from his thoughtful care and ingenuity. His treatment philosophy is unique and effective. To have come under his wing has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.
In the spirit of the season, I also wish to share my deepest gratitude. I will forever be grateful for the gift we all received two millennia ago, with the condescension of God in our Savior Jesus Christ. His teachings and atonement have great impact on my life and on my family. His path is the way that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
Nathan Pettit, DMD, MSD