Gratitude is the act of being thankful for something that we have and showing appreciation for it. This year has been a difficult year for everyone as we are dealing with the effects of COVID-19 and at times we find ourselves frustrated and upset at our situations. As we start into this holiday season we start thinking of things that we are thankful for which can help uplift us. Having gratitude can help improve our mental health drastically in several different ways. When we show gratitude it can help improve our moods, make us feel more optimistic, improve relationships, and practice physical health.
When we
express gratitude on a regular basis we tend to start having more positive
thoughts and it improves our outlook on life.
Having a positive thought process can help us manage symptoms, such as
depression, better. When we start
feeling more positive we then start to be more optimistic in everyday
activities in life that help us feel better about ourselves. When a person is feeling better about himself
or herself, they start to interact with others more, which can help improve
relationships that are healthy and strong.
In addition, when we start to interact with others and are feeling
better about ourselves we will start to take care of ourselves better by
improving our physical activity such as eating healthy and exercising on a
regular basis.
Sometimes
it is hard to start recognizing what we are thankful for and showing that
gratitude, so it is important to start to make it a habit. A person can do that
by first writing down everything they are thankful for and at the end of each
day write down something new that they are thankful for that happened during
that day. There are also times during a
day when we will feel upset or frustrated, but during those times it is
important to stop and think of something that we are thankful for. This will
help us reset our thought process and have us thinking more positively. Another way to start a habit is when eating
meals with family or loved ones go around the table and name one thing they are
thankful for. This will not only help
people improve their positive mind set but it will help improve relationships
and bonds. One way to show gratitude is
by writing a note to someone that you are thankful for and letting him or her
know that you are thankful for them.
Showing
gratitude can help improve our lives in many different ways and during these
trying times it is important to be able to stay positive and help uplift
ourselves and others.
David Homer, LCSW