Mental Health and Healing Through Native American Gratitude Practices
Native American gratitude practices are powerful tools for mental health and healing. This guide offers easy daily routines inspired by Native traditions; explains why giving thanks matters; and connects you to support and resources. Whether you’re looking for ways to feel better, find hope, or connect with your culture, you’ll find practical tips and caring help here.
Thanksgiving is more than a holiday; it's a chance to embrace gratitude as a tool for healing. For Native American communities, giving thanks is a daily practice that supports mental health, spiritual balance, and connection to the land. If you are a survivor on your healing journey, this guide offers simple, culturally rooted gratitude practices to help you find calm, strength, and hope.
Native American Traditions for Mental Health
Native American traditions have long recognized gratitude as a form of medicine. Across tribes, practices like the Haudenosaunee (ho-dee-noh-SHOH-nee) Thanksgiving Address, Diné Blessing Way, Lakota Morning Prayer, Anishinaabe (ah-ni-shi-nah-bay)Offerings, and Wampanoag (wahm-puh-nawg)Seasonal Ceremonies teach us to give thanks for the earth, water, plants, animals, and each other. “Native American gratitude practices promote self-reflection, connection to nature, and a sense of harmony, which can aid survivors in their journey towards recovery”.1
The Science of Gratitude
Research shows that gratitude is good for your mind and body. One study found that the effect on positive affect appeared to be the most robust finding. Results suggest that a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits.
Gratitude also boosts brain chemicals that help you feel happier and more connected. For people healing from trauma, gratitude can lower depression and anxiety. It helps your brain focus on hope and healing.2.
These findings match what Native teachings say, giving thanks brings balance to you, your community, and the land.
Daily Gratitude Routine for Healing
You can bring these Native American gratitude practices into your daily life to support your mental health and well-being. Here’s a simple routine inspired by cultural traditions and the support of the StrongHearts Native Helpline:
Morning: Start with Thanks
- Thank the Creator or Ancestors: Before you get out of bed, take a deep breath and say, “Thank you.” Acknowledge the gift of a new day and the support of your ancestors.
- Connect to the Four Directions: Face each direction and offer a short prayer or word of thanks. Use sage, cedar, or sweetgrass if it feels right.
- Ground Yourself: Stand barefoot if you can and whisper something you are grateful for, even something small.
This morning ritual helps you begin your day with clarity and connection.
Midday: Pause and Reflect
- Mealtime Gratitude: Before eating, thank everyone and everything that made your meal possible—farmers, animals, plants, and Mother Earth.
- Nature Check-In: Step outside or look out a window. Offer thanks for something you see—clouds, wind, water, or trees.
These midday moments help you stay present and lower stress.
Evening: Reflect and Let Go
- Name Three Things: Before bed, list three things you are grateful for. Say them aloud, write them down, or think them quietly.
- Cleansing Practice: Use sage, cedar, sweetgrass, or water to wash away the day. Give thanks for what helped you get through.
- Honor Ancestors: If it feels right, light a candle or offer food or tobacco for loved ones or ancestors. Thank them for their guidance.
These evening practices help you sleep better and feel safe.
Extra Gratitude Ideas for Mental Health
- Craft or Cook: Make something traditional and dedicate it to gratitude.
- Walking Prayer: Take a walk and use each step as a silent “thank you.”
- Gratitude Bundle: Gather herbs, stones, or small items that remind you of what you are grateful for, keep them close.
Gentle Reminders for Survivors
Healing takes time. Gratitude does not erase pain, but it helps you carry it with hope. You do not have to feel positive all the time and know that gratitude can exist alongside sadness, grief, or anger. Your way of giving thanks may be different from others, and that’s okay. Start small, and remember that every grateful breath is a step toward healing.
How StrongHearts Native Helpline Supports Your Healing Journey
StrongHearts Native Helpline is here to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence find culturally rooted support, mental health resources, and a safe space to heal. If you need someone to talk to reach out to StrongHearts Native Helpline for compassionate, confidential support.
If you wish to learn more about Native American healing traditions and gratitude practices, visit our Cultural Dopamine Menu and our Seven Grandfather Teachings to Heal From Abuse.
Make This Thanksgiving About You
This Thanksgiving, let gratitude be your guide. Honor your healing journey with daily gratitude practices inspired by Native American traditions. Discover new ways to support your mental health and connect with your culture. Visit StrongHearts Native Helpline to find more resources and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
- Emily Arismendy, “Thanksgiving as an Opportunity for Reflection and Gratitude”, SAFE Stop Abuse for Everyone, (no date), https://www.safeaustin.org/es/gratitude-practices/
- Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.
