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The Power of Gratitude

With Thanksgiving around the corner, many of us look forward to our uniquely American holiday! We gather with family and friends around a table to share a meal and show gratitude for what we have in our lives. The next day, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season resumes in full force,  and the gratitude can fade away. But that feeling is powerful and does not have to be confined to or defined by one holiday a year. 

The word gratitude comes from the Latin word gratia which means grace, graciousness or gratefulness. At its core, gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what one receives, and with that acknowledgment comes a recognition that the source of goodness is largely outside of ourselves. Expressing gratitude allows  us to appreciate what we have instead of constantly striving for what we think we need. It gives us an opportunity to connect in a selfless way whether it is to other people, nature, or a higher power. In a wide range of psychology studies, gratitude has been found to strongly correlate with greater happiness. The act of expressing gratitude opens us up to relish life experiences and in doing so improves our mental health, builds resilience and allows us to cultivate stronger relationships. The more frequently gratitude is expressed, the more benefits it imparts. 

So, this holiday season, keep the gratitude flowing beyond Turkey Day with these 5 easy tips:

1. Start a gratitude journal. Every morning or night write about something that you are grateful for.
2. Meditate or pray daily. Take a quiet moment  to give thanks mentally and think positive thoughts about people, pets or even places you appreciate.
3. Write thank you notes. Keep a stack of thank you cards and stamps at your work space and once a month write and mail a quick note of thanks to someone special in your life. In this digital world, a handwritten thank you note received in the mail is worth it’s weight in gold!
4. Say Thank you! Make a habit of thanking those around you on a daily basis. From the stranger holding the door open, to your taxi driver, smile and make eye contact as you express gratitude. 
5. Make Gratitude Visits. Every month, make a choice to call or visit with someone who may be socially isolated and share things you are grateful for with one another. It will be transformative for both of you!

On behalf of all of us at HealthSense and MindSense, we want to thank you for trusting us with the care of your clients and loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Written by: Anne Sansevero