The Benefits of Focusing on Gratitude

Ideas for Practicing Gratitude on a Daily Basis

As we plan for Thanksgiving, we often focus on preparing and enjoying a delicious meal, seeing our family members gathered around the table, and perhaps enjoying a football game on television. While these are all amazing parts of the holiday, we should not be distracted from the central purpose of the holiday—which is, of course, to give thanks. 

Gratitude should be something we focus on every single day—not just on Thanksgiving. There are real benefits to practicing gratitude. It can improve our mental outlook, reduce our stress, and even improve our relationships. 

Consider these ideas for practicing gratitude in your daily life. And remember, these tips are not just for seniors, but for all of us! We can all make an effort to focus on gratitude.

• Smile more! This one is easy. And, yes, you can smile behind a mask. A simple smile could be what turns someone’s day around.

• Keep a gratitude journal or list. Try to write a sentence or add one thing to your list every day. Watching your list of blessings grow can be incredibly meaningful.

• Say, “Thank you!” How often do we go about our business without taking a minute to make eye contact and thank those around us? Sometimes receiving a heartfelt “Thank you!” can make someone’s entire day.

• Take a moment to appreciate nature. Try to step outside or look out the window at least once a day to take in the nature around you. This might be enjoying a sunrise or sunset, watching the rain, or, more likely in Cleveland, watching the snow fall. Nature can help us feel grounded and put our daily stress in perspective.

• Call someone to tell them you care. An unexpected phone call to a loved one or longtime friend can be a welcome surprise, particularly during a time of social isolation. When was the last time you called someone simply to tell them how much you appreciate them being in your life?

• Send a handwritten card or note. Yes, a text has its place, but there is nothing like a handwritten note. Consider buying or making a stack of cards that you can send to loved ones and friends at random.

We hope these tips help you practice gratitude all year long. At McGregor, we are focusing on giving thanks and expressing gratefulness this holiday season. We are especially grateful to foster an atmosphere where we can provide compassion to those in our care and our employees can find fulfillment in.

We strive to bring these practices to our seniors and everyone in our community. If you would like to learn more about McGregor, please contact our team at any time.