Gratitude as Men’s Medicine

Rethinking Thanksgiving

For many men, Thanksgiving arrives as a day of food, football and family logistics—a welcome pause in a busy year, but not always a deeply reflective one. Yet beneath the surface of the holiday lies a powerful spiritual discipline: gratitude. And for men—who are often conditioned to suppress emotions, push through pain and measure worth by productivity—gratitude can be transformative medicine for both body and soul.

Gratitude invites men to slow down and acknowledge what sustains them, rather than what they must fix, prove or control. Studies consistently show that men who regularly practice gratitude experience lower levels of stress, improved cardiovascular health and better sleep. But the benefits go far deeper. Gratitude restores a sense of connection—to others, to purpose and to something larger than oneself. It reminds men that their worth is not found in what they produce, but in how they show up—with presence, compassion and humility.

Jewish tradition has long understood this truth. The very first words a Jew says upon waking each morning are Modeh Ani—“I give thanks.” Before we even open our eyes, before we check our phones or start the day’s to-do list, we acknowledge the miracle of being alive. Gratitude, in this sense, is not an emotion—it’s a spiritual posture. It’s how we orient ourselves toward the world.

For men, this orientation can be life-changing. It can interrupt the relentless drive toward control and instead cultivate awareness, balance and trust. Gratitude doesn’t deny struggle—it reframes it. It allows us to see that even in pain, there is learning; even in loss, there is growth; even in uncertainty, there can be faith.

This Thanksgiving, consider transforming the table itself into a sacred practice. Before the meal begins, take a quiet breath and name three things you’re grateful for—one that comforts you, one that challenges you and one that surprises you. This simple ritual transforms gratitude from a fleeting feeling into an act of spiritual grounding.

When men make space for gratitude, they make space for their own humanity—and for the Divine spark that lives within it. And that is something truly worth giving thanks for.

Rabbi Noam Raucher is executive director of FJMC International