The Amazing Power of Gratitude
One of the most important things we have found for seniors to stay healthy and well at home during this time, or really anytime, is the regular expression of gratitude. The power of gratitude has been professed by people from all ages and all walks of life:
- “Gratitude is the key to abundance.” Anonymous
- "It is impossible to feel grateful and depressed in the same moment." Naomi Williams
- “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” Willie Nelson
- "This a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before." Maya Angelou
- "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." Cicero
And the benefits of gratitude are numerous and well documented:*
- Greater happiness, more optimism and positive emotions
- Better health, better sleep and fewer aches and pains
- New and lasting relationships
- More progress toward personal goals
- More alertness and determination
- Increased generosity and empathy
- Improved self-esteem
Research shows the most effective way to harvest these benefits is to find practical ways to express gratitude daily. Some examples include:
- Download an app or keep a daily gratitude journal
- Express gratitude daily in prayer, meditation, at the dinner table, and at work
- Write thank you notes, write a list of 50 things you are grateful for
Here are some tips that my help:
- Express gratitude for the simple and most overlooked things in your life
- Challenge your inner negative voice that may hold you back
- Find things to be grateful for, even in the most challenging of circumstances
I invite you to express gratitude each day and to help those you serve do the same. I hope it will bring us all great abundance.
* Sources: Richard Emmons https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/robert_emmons, Brene Brown PhD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IjSHUc7TXM, Lisa Firestone PhD https://www.psychalive.org/the-healing-power-of-gratitude/