Why Gratitude Improves Health (and How Chiropractic Can Help)

Let’s Talk Turkey… and Gratitude.

You’ve heard it before—“Be thankful!” But did you know that gratitude isn’t just good manners—it’s good medicine? Studies show that practicing gratitude can lower stress, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and even boost immunity. So this Thanksgiving season, while you're passing the mashed potatoes and dodging Aunt Linda’s stories about her cat’s gluten-free diet, consider this: what if being thankful could actually heal you?

At Pomeroy Chiropractic, we’re big believers in treating the whole person—body, mind, and nervous system. We’ve seen firsthand how gratitude and chiropractic care work hand-in-hand to create lasting wellness. So let’s dig into three uncommon (but wildly effective) ways you can tap into gratitude this season—and how chiropractic care can supercharge the benefits.

1. Gratitude Journaling… for Your Spine?

Okay, not literally. Your spine isn’t going to whip out a pen and write “Today I’m thankful for lumbar support.” But research shows that taking a few minutes each day to write down three things you're grateful for actually shifts brain activity away from stress and anxiety and toward calm, healing states. This directly affects your nervous system.

When we adjust Zone 1 (the Glandular System), we help regulate hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These are the very stress chemicals gratitude journaling helps reduce. Pair the two? That’s a double whammy for stress and inflammation.

📓 Try This: Keep a “gratitude + body” journal. Each night, write 3 things you're thankful for and one way your body served you well that day (e.g., “Thank you knees for not buckling during that 5-hour shopping trip”).

2. Compliment Others (Even That Guy Who Cut You Off in Traffic)

Here’s a weird but wonderful trick: expressing genuine appreciation for others boosts your own oxytocin levels—your brain's “feel-good” chemical. And yes, even silently wishing someone well counts!

Gratitude expressed outwardly activates the parasympathetic nervous system (aka “rest and digest”) and can bring you out of chronic fight-or-flight mode. When your nervous system is balanced, your body digests better, sleeps deeper, and heals faster.

This is where chiropractic comes in: through Zone 4 (the Digestive System) and Zone 5 (Muscular System), we reset the nerves responsible for deep relaxation and tissue healing. Feeling stiff, bloated, or like your muscles are always tense? Try complimenting someone—then come in for a tune-up.

💡 Try This: Next time you’re in the office, compliment the front desk team on their Halloween decorations (yes, they’re still up—we’re festive, not lazy!).

3. Create a “Thank You” Ritual Before Meals

This isn’t about reciting long, drawn-out blessings while the food gets cold (unless you’re into that—then carry on). This is about taking 30 seconds to pause, express thanks for the meal and those who prepared it, and give your nervous system a moment to reset before eating.

This mini-practice reduces digestive stress, improves nutrient absorption, and helps prevent that post-holiday-meal bloat. Plus, it activates Zones 2 (Eliminative System) and 4 (Digestive System)—two biggies when it comes to gut health and detoxification.

🦃 Try This: Before digging into that plate of turkey, silently thank the farmers, the cook, and even the bird. Bonus points if you give the gravy a high-five.

Natural Alternatives to OTC Meds (Because Your Body Deserves More Than a Quick Fix)

Skip the medicine cabinet full of side effects and try these natural, powerhouse alternatives that support your body without the unwanted baggage. We carry all three right here in the office:

• Super Probiotic by DC Labs
  A happy gut = a happy immune system. This high-potency probiotic helps balance digestion, reduce bloating, and keep your internal ecosystem thriving—even after that third slice of pie.
  Bonus: For those who prefer chewables (or have little ones who need gut support too), we also carry a chewable probiotic by Bariatric Fusion—perfect for kids or anyone who wants gut health without swallowing pills.

• PharmaGABA by Designs for Health
  GABA is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that helps calm the nervous system, support mood balance, and promote restful sleep. PharmaGABA is unique because it’s made through a natural fermentation process, making it more bioavailable and gentle than synthetic options.
  It helps regulate “happy hormones” like serotonin and dopamine—think of it as your brain’s built-in chill button. Perfect for staying even-keeled when you’re decorating, hosting, cooking, shopping… and trying not to scream.

• Formula 303
  A natural muscle relaxer that supports tension relief with valerian root, passionflower, and magnesium. Great for tight shoulders, jaw clenching, or—let’s be honest—when your extended family starts to seriously get on your nerves.
  (It won’t stop your relatives from asking when you're getting married or having another kid, but it might help you smile through it.)

Why go natural? Because your body is designed to heal—it just needs the right support. These formulas work with your system to reduce tension, promote calm, and keep your gut and brain in sync—without the side effects of traditional over-the-counter meds.

Hygiene & Diaper Drive: Supporting Simply Hygiene

This fall, we’re proud to partner with Simply Hygiene to collect essential hygiene items for those in need right here in our community. From October 1st through November 21st (ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT!), we are running a Hygiene & Diaper Drive at PCW, alongside our annual Bread of Life food drive (non-perishable food items).

We are accepting donations of:

• Body wash

• Men’s & women’s deodorant

• Diapers (sizes 3, 4, and 5)

• Conditioner & shampoo

• Toilet paper

Monetary donations can also be made directly through Venmo at: https://www.venmo.com/u/simplyhygiene

Over the past year, Simply Hygiene has distributed products to local domestic violence shelters, transitional housing, schools, homeless shelters, and hygiene pantries—helping ensure no one goes without these everyday essentials.

Together, let’s fill the shelves and uplift our neighbors. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference.

💳 Wellness Club Billing Update

Starting December 1st, we’ll be streamlining our Wellness Club billing process! Instead of running cards automatically on the 5th, 15th, and 25th, all Wellness Club payments will now be processed on the 1st of each month.

This change helps simplify our billing system and keeps everyone on a consistent schedule—just in time for the new year! Our team will be reaching out to Wellness Club members individually to address any questions or concerns before the change takes effect.

Thank you for your understanding and for being part of our chiropractic family—we appreciate your continued commitment to your health and wellness!

Ready to Turn Gratitude into Action?

This season, let’s go beyond “being thankful” and actually feel better because of it. Your nervous system, immune function, digestion, and stress levels all benefit from gratitude—and chiropractic care is the perfect partner in helping those benefits take root.

So whether you need an adjustment before the big holiday rush, support through pregnancy, or help swapping meds for natural alternatives—we’ve got you.

Call us today to schedule your next appointment or swing by to stock up on supplements while they’re still in stock (they go faster than the last slice of pumpkin pie).

🍁 We’re thankful for YOU—our amazing community. Here’s to a season full of health, healing, and maybe just one more helping of stuffing.

Dr Pomeroy, Maddy, Emma, Misty, (& Jo)