Throughout the hectic and busy moments in your life, it’s easy to take for granted the simple things you should be grateful for. So as Thanksgiving and the holiday season approach, it is important to take a step back and remind yourself of all that you have to be thankful for. Here are five aspects of your life to remember and appreciate:

1. Family

Whether or not your family lives a short fifteen-minute drive away or across the country or world, you know they will always be there for you with love and support. Sometimes you may forget how much they mean to you or how greatly you need them in life. So during this holiday season, take time to truly show them how much you care and appreciate everything they do. Make the extra effort to drive out to see them, give them a thoughtful phone call, or send a gift their way to remind them the extent to which you love them.

2. Food

Especially during Thanksgiving dinner with enough turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie to have a week's worth of leftovers, it’s easy to forget that some people do not have such easy access to a wide variety of foods. Be appreciative of the meal on your plate in front of you and seek to help others who are not as fortunate. Something as simple as donating cans or working at a food kitchen goes a long way and could have a greater impact than you may realize.

3. Nature

Mother Earth offers a unique gift unlike any other that often goes overlooked. From crystal clear lakes surrounded by snow-covered mountains to forests filled with emerald green trees that seem to touch the sky, nature possesses an immense beauty many fail to notice. Remembering the grandeur our earth exhibits allows you to appreciate life for one of its most simple characteristics; enabling you to forget about the technological and product-centered lifestyle of the twenty-first century for a moment.

4. Good Health

Good health is often something that gets taken for granted until it is taken away. Waking up every morning and being able to carry out the day’s tasks without any difficulty is its own blessing. Remember to be thankful for the basic but vastly important health you were granted with.

5. A Place to Call Home

Sometimes it’s easy to overlook the importance of having a home that offers security, safety, and a sense of relaxation and quietude. Especially during the cold winters that come with the holiday season, a home provides warmth and shelter. A cozy abode is not something everyone is fortunate enough to own, so recognize its value and appreciate all that your home provides you with.

Especially when life may seem particularly difficult and chaotic, remember to cherish these five simple facets of your lives. Although work and relationships can make your life messy and stressful, remind yourself that there is so much to be thankful for during this holiday season.