As we make our way to the winter solstice, December brings a mixed bag. There’s excitement for holiday gatherings, the anticipation of seeing friends and family, relishing an opportunity to celebrate the year’s end and the promises of new beginnings. At the same time, there may be the inclination towards hibernation, honoring the longer nights with more rest, simplifying the daily to-do’s. Add the layer of holiday consumerism and the pressure to get it all done perfectly no matter the cost, and it’s no wonder that December can arrive with a sense of dread, as much as there may be hope and joy in there too. So what do we do?

Practice listening to what your body needs. You may not be able to grant every wish, but acknowledging the true needs of your self (body, mind, spirit) will allow more coherence, keeping you aligned to make the next choice from a place of connection rather than dissociation.
Take a breather. When feeling stressed, come back to the simplicity of the breath.
Remember that the mind doesn’t always guide us the best way. Place a hand on your heart. The guiding wisdom of the heart is connected to the brain and the gut, so from a physiological level, checking in with the heart can give a more wholistic representation of how we’re doing and what matters most.

Gratitude has become a big ticket word across wellness platforms and beyond, and while sometimes to me this feels wearisome, as if gratitude could be a magic wand to solve every problem, there’s been a lot of research on the benefits of gratitude that encourages me to shelve my cynicism and consider gratitude anew.

Studies show that gratitude can help in many ways:

improves resilience in dealing with stress and trauma
reduces negative emotions like resentment, envy, frustration, regret and aggression while increasing empathy
grateful people are more likely to take care of their physical health and experience lower blood pressure and increased energy
jotting down a few gratitude points before bed can improve sleep
helps people appreciate what they have while reducing comparison between people’s life circumstances and resources
reduces materialism
gratitude can help open career doors by acknowledging other’s contributions and affirming connections
aids social health and quality of relationships
increases optimism

Benefits of blessing one’s food:

the practice of pausing in gratitude before meals can help cue the body that it will be time to eat soon and can improve digestion
promotes mindfulness, helping one to be more fully present, and thus helps one experience meal times with senses fully engaged
when grounded, mindful, and engaging the senses, one is more likely to listen to the body’s cues about when, what, and how much to eat, while also enjoying it more
reminds us of the efforts of many hands that have gone into the food from tending the seeds, to growing, harvesting, procuring ingredients, and preparing the meal. This reminder is a reminder of our interconnection and positive interdependence.

I grew up associating food blessing with the Christian practice of saying grace, but the practice of blessing one’s food is universal and timeless, available to all no matter what religion, culture, or background. Here are some examples:

Food Blessings

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Corn and grain, meat and milk,

upon my table before me.

Gifts of life, bringing sustenance and strength,

I am grateful for all I have.

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Thank you for all the hands that helped make this food, for the sky and earth that helped it grow, and the family we have to share it.

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Offering spirit plate or food to altar

This meal is the work of many hands,

and I offer you a share.

Holy ones, accept my gift,

and upon my hearth, leave your blessings.

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Rudolph Steiner tradition

Blessings on the blossom

Blessings on the fruit

Blessings on the leaves and stems

and blessings on the root.

Blessings to our friends and family and have a happy (insert day of the week)!

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Grace by Ralph Waldo Emerson

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends,

We offer thanks. Amen.

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Chinese Blessing

Round the table, peace and joy prevail.

May all who share this season’s delight

Enjoy countless more.

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Ancient Hindu Blessing
This ritual is One.
The food is One.
We who offer the food are One.
The fire of hunger is also One.
All action is One.
We who understand this are One.

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Serving Food by Thich Nhat Hanh
In this food, I see clearly
The presence of the universe
Supporting my existence.

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Simple Grace
A blessing on the meal and peace on earth.

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Pagan Blessing 1
Earth who gives to us our food
Sun who makes it ripe and good
Dearest earth and dearest sun
Joy and love for all you’ve done

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Pagan Blessing 2
Give thanks to the Mother Earth.
Give thanks to the Father Sun.
Give thanks to the plants in the garden,
Where the Mother and Father are One.

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Pagan Blessing 3
Blessed be the Earth for giving birth to this food
Blessed be the Sun for nourishing it
Blessed be the Wind for carrying its seed
Blessed be the Rain for quenching its thirst.
Blessed be the hands that helped to grow this food,
To bring it to our tables
To nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits.
Blessed be our friends, our families, and our loved ones.
Blessed Be.

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From Robert Frost

We give thanks for this food
For earth and home and all things good.
For wind and rain and sun above
But most of all
For those we love.

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Indigenous Prayer

Spirit of Life and Love that goes by many names, We thank you for the gift of this food.
We send blessings of peace and love to all whose bodies and energies went into bringing us this nourishment.
We honor you in our enjoyment of this meal.
May it bring us health and joy, Reminding us of our interconnections with All That Is.
As we receive, so do we give back
And give thanks for this gift in the Cycle of Life.
Amen and Blessed Be!

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Iriquois Prayer

We give thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.
We give thanks to the rivers and streams, which give us water.
We give thanks to the corn, the beans and the squash, which give us life.
We give thanks to the trees, which give us fruit.
We give thanks to the wind, which has banished diseases.
We give thanks to the moon and stars, which have brightened our nights.
We give thanks to our ancestors, who have protected us, their grandchildren, and have given us rain.
We give thanks to the sun, who has looked up the earth with a kind eye.
Lastly, we give thanks to the Great Spirit.

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With the blessing of the earth, I honor the lands that sustained this meal.

With the blessing of the air, I honor the hands that prepared this meal.

With the blessing of fire, I honor the labor that produced this meal.

With the blessing of water, I honor the lives that were given for this meal.

With the blessing of spirit, I wish a safe journey to those who now move on.

In gratitude, love, and peace, I recognize that all are part of the great web of life and that I, too, will one day return.

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Blessed be the Earth for giving birth to this food

Blessed be the Sun for nourishing it

Blessed be the Wind for carrying its seed

Blessed be the Rain for quenching its thirst.

Blessed be the hands that helped to grow this food,

To bring it to our tables

To nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Blessed be our friends, our families, and our loved ones.

Blessed Be.

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Traditional Buddhist mealtime prayer

This food comes from the earth and the sky

It is the gift of the entire universe

And the fruit of much hard work

I vow to live a life that is worthy to receive it

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Here are a few mindfulness blessings written by yoga teacher, Karina Mirsky:

Today we are thankful for ALL THAT SUSTAINS US: Healthy food, fresh air, and clean water. Spiritual practices like yoga and meditation. The support we receive from teachers, family, and friends. Our careers and creative passions. May all that sustains our lives be blessed in thankfulness.
– Namaste

Today we bow to our ANCESTORS. We are thankful to those who came before us. The relatives, community members, teachers, and leaders who worked hard for us to live the way we do today. We honor their wisdom, efforts, and sacrifices. May we make our ancestors proud by treating each other and the earth well.
- Blessed Be.

Today we honor the CIRCLE OF LIFE. We are grateful for the plants and animals that give up their lives to sustain ours. May this food nourish our bodies, minds, and hearts. May it also enrich our time together as we learn more about what it means to be alive.
– Namaste

Today we celebrate the PRESENT MOMENT. We are grateful for everything that has happened in our lives which led up to THIS moment, where we gather together in the HERE and NOW. Breathing in, let’s fully arrive in the present moment… Breathing out, let’s be grateful for this moment… May this moment be a delightful one.
– Namaste

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Today we are thankful for THIS LAND. Blessed with green earth, warm air, sunrise, and ocean song. We honor the native plants, animals, and insects here who share their home with us. We are grateful to the people who built the structures which allow us to inhabit this little piece of paradise. May this land and all who come here be blessed.
– Blessed Be.

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