National Gratitude Month
November 1 - November 30
About National Gratitude Month
National Gratitude Month is observed every November in the United States, encouraging people to practise thankfulness, appreciate the people and experiences in their lives, and build habits of gratitude that extend well beyond the holiday season. Created in 2015 by author and motivational speaker Stacey Grewal, the month sits naturally alongside Thanksgiving and offers a structured opportunity to focus on positive thinking and emotional wellbeing.
How to Celebrate National Gratitude Month
Gratitude is a skill that strengthens with practice. Here are ways to make November a month of meaningful thankfulness:
- Start a gratitude journal — Each day throughout November, write down three things you are grateful for. They can be as significant as a supportive relationship or as simple as a warm cup of tea. Research from the University of California, Davis found that people who keep gratitude journals exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and feel better about their lives overall.
- Write thank-you notes — Take time each week to write a heartfelt thank-you letter or card to someone who has made a positive impact on your life. Whether it is a teacher, colleague, friend, or family member, a handwritten note carries a personal touch that digital messages cannot replicate.
- Create a gratitude jar — Place an empty jar in a visible spot at home or at work. Throughout November, drop in slips of paper noting things you are thankful for. At the end of the month, read through them together with family or colleagues as a reflection exercise.
- Volunteer in your community — Giving back is one of the most powerful expressions of gratitude. Volunteer at a local food bank, homeless shelter, or community organisation. November food drives and Thanksgiving meal programmes are especially in need of helping hands.
- Practise gratitude at mealtimes — Before meals, take a moment to share something each family member is grateful for that day. This simple ritual builds a habit of reflection and connection, particularly meaningful as Thanksgiving approaches.
- Express appreciation at work — Send a message of thanks to a colleague who has helped you, or nominate a team member for recognition. Workplace gratitude improves morale, strengthens relationships, and boosts productivity.
- Share gratitude on social media — Join the popular “30 Days of Gratitude” challenge, posting one thing you are thankful for each day of November. This simple practice spreads positivity through your network and encourages others to reflect on their own blessings.
- Teach children about gratitude — Help children create gratitude crafts, such as “thankful trees” where leaves represent things they appreciate. Instilling gratitude early helps children develop empathy, resilience, and stronger social connections.
What is National Gratitude Month?
National Gratitude Month is a November observance that dedicates the entire month to the practice and celebration of gratitude. Unlike a single day of thanks, the month-long format encourages people to build sustainable habits of appreciation that can improve mental health, strengthen relationships, and foster a more positive outlook. The observance has been embraced by schools, workplaces, mental health professionals, and community groups as a structured way to focus on wellbeing during a season that can also bring stress.
When is National Gratitude Month?
National Gratitude Month runs from Sunday, 1 November to Monday, 30 November 2026. It is observed annually throughout the entire month of November, deliberately coinciding with the Thanksgiving season in the United States.
The History of National Gratitude Month
National Gratitude Month was created in 2015 by Stacey Grewal, an author, inspirational speaker, and wellness advocate who believed that gratitude deserved more than a single day of recognition. Grewal submitted the designation in August 2015, and it was formally recognised for November, a natural fit given the month’s association with Thanksgiving and the spirit of giving thanks.
Grewal’s initiative tapped into a growing body of scientific research on the benefits of gratitude. Psychologist Robert Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Michael McCullough of the University of Miami had published influential studies in the early 2000s demonstrating that regularly practising gratitude leads to measurable improvements in happiness, health, and resilience. Their work, along with Martin Seligman’s positive psychology movement, had already popularised concepts like gratitude journals and thankfulness exercises in therapeutic settings.
National Gratitude Month quickly gained traction beyond its founder’s initial vision. Schools began incorporating gratitude activities into their November curricula. Workplaces adopted gratitude programmes as part of employee wellbeing initiatives. Mental health professionals recommended the month as a structured starting point for clients to develop gratitude practices. Social media amplified the movement through viral challenges like the “30 Days of Gratitude” posting trend. The observance now sits comfortably alongside November’s broader themes of community and appreciation, including events like World Kindness Day on 13 November.
Fun Facts About Gratitude
- Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who wrote about things they were grateful for each week were 25% happier than those who wrote about irritations or neutral events.
- Grateful people sleep an average of 30 minutes more per night than those who do not practise gratitude, according to a study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.
- Neuroscience research shows that expressing gratitude activates the brain’s hypothalamus and ventral tegmental area, regions associated with stress regulation and the production of dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitter.
- A 2018 study from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley found that gratitude can reduce inflammation and improve heart health, with grateful individuals showing lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers.
- The word “gratitude” comes from the Latin word “gratia,” meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness, and has been a recognised virtue across cultures and religions for thousands of years.
- Couples who express gratitude to each other regularly report higher levels of relationship satisfaction and are more likely to stay together, according to research from the University of Georgia.
Why National Gratitude Month Matters
The benefits of gratitude extend well beyond feeling good in the moment. Regular gratitude practice has been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety, improved immune function, better sleep quality, and stronger social bonds. In a month that can also bring financial stress from holiday spending and emotional complexity from family dynamics, National Gratitude Month offers a counterbalance. It reminds us to pause, notice the good, and express appreciation to the people around us, habits that research consistently shows lead to greater resilience and life satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Gratitude Month?
National Gratitude Month is a November observance that encourages people to practise thankfulness throughout the month, build habits of appreciation, and experience the proven mental and physical health benefits of gratitude.
When is National Gratitude Month in 2026?
National Gratitude Month runs throughout November 2026, from Sunday, 1 November to Monday, 30 November.
What are simple ways to practise gratitude daily?
Simple daily gratitude practices include keeping a journal where you write three things you are grateful for, sending a thank-you message to someone each day, pausing before meals to reflect on what you appreciate, and taking a few minutes before bed to mentally review the positive moments of your day.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share what you are grateful for on social media with #NationalGratitudeMonth and #Gratitude2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to post one thing they are thankful for each day of November. The ripple effect of shared gratitude can transform communities.
Related Awareness Days
- World Kindness Day — Celebrated on 13 November, this day promotes acts of kindness and compassion, complementing the gratitude theme of the month.
- Stress Awareness Month — Held each April, this month highlights the impact of stress on health. Gratitude practice is one of the most effective evidence-based strategies for managing stress.
- Mental Health Awareness Month — Observed every May, this month promotes mental wellbeing. Gratitude journaling is recommended by mental health professionals as a tool for building resilience and positive thinking.
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