The practice of Gratitude offers many benefits, one of which is shining a light on the beauty and goodness that can be found in everyday moments. Cultivating this practice can help caregivers, care recipients and supporters create a more positive and connected outlook.

More Than Turkey and Stuffing

What are you thankful for? We’re most often asked this question every November while sitting around a large dinner table arguing about the merits of cranberry sauce with our eccentric uncle. But feelings of gratitude aren’t only reserved for one day of the year. Being grateful is a vitalizing activity that must be actively practiced.

Unfortunately, nothing is more effective at throwing up barriers to the practice of gratitude than everyday living. Receiving news that a loved one is in need is never convenient and almost always unsettling, and the continuous acts of providing loving care for a family member or friend exact an emotional and physical toll on all parties involved. Yet, thankfulness can help mitigate some of these hurdles by playing a significant role in the coping, healing, and motivating aspects of one’s care journey. So, how exactly does one cultivate a thankful nature, mindset, and lifestyle?

Before we move toward answering this question, it’s important we start with an understanding of gratitude in both word and concept. Gratitude is defined as a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. Psychologists Robert Emmons and Patrick McNamara explain gratitude as follows: “Feelings of gratitude stem from two stages of information processing: 1) an affirmation of goodness or ‘good things’ in one’s life, and 2) the recognition that the sources of this goodness lie at least partly outside the self.”

This acknowledgement of the goodness in one's life and the sources from which this goodness stems brings many benefits that can aid both caregivers and care recipients. Studies have shown that actively practicing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, lower stress levels, a boosted immune system, a better outlook on life, and improved relationships with loved ones. It’s important to note that being grateful does not mean ignoring negative feelings. Gratitude is about appreciating and perceiving that there are always positive things in one’s life, no matter how challenging life becomes or how dark things may seem.

The Great in Gratitude

Gratitude can play a significant role in one’s life when adversity arises unexpectedly. Caregivers, care recipients and the people who make up their support systems, can reduce stress, alter their mindsets, and improve relationships with thankfulness.

Gratitude and Stress

Caregiving can be simultaneously difficult and rewarding. Stress is a natural occurrence that is often commonplace in caregiving. Gratitude has been shown to be a simple and proven tool to combat stress. Here’s how appreciation can provide solace:

Gratitude helps people feel more optimistic by focusing on good experiences.
There are numerous studies showing that in the face of grave trauma, hardship, and suffering, people with grateful dispositions recover more quickly.
Gratitude helps us cope with stressful experiences by reminding us of the positives in our lives in the midst of—or even as a result of—suffering.

Gratitude and Perspective

Living in a world of “what ifs,” most people often seek out things and situations that are newer, better or best. However, gratitude works to refocus one’s mind on the present and what is already obtained, experienced, or learned. Being aware of this notion helps individuals reframe their long-term or short-term realities. Thankfulness works to alter the mind toward appreciation by doing the following:

Gratitude helps people refocus on and appreciate what they have instead of always seeking what they lack or reaching for something new. This enables individuals to modify their outlook and acknowledge the positive.
Gratitude and thankfulness allow us to participate more fully in life by permitting us to notice the positives and celebrate the present. This magnifies daily pleasures and places attention on moments of joy rather than negative occurrences, unfilled tasks, future endeavors, and so on.
Gratitude stops us from taking things for granted. Whether it be food, shelter, clothing, or the people who love and support us, we all take things for granted. But for many people around the world, these necessities are not a given. Gratitude pushes us to see things in a new perspective.

Gratitude and Relationships

The process of gratitude frequently leads individuals to recognize the sources of goodness in their lives that lie outside of themselves. As a result, gratitude helps people improve intra- and interpersonal relationships. Here is how:

Acknowledgement: Gratitude motivates us to acknowledge others. When one person acknowledges receiving a valuable benefit from another person, gratitude is expressed, helping to regulate that relationship. Since gratitude motivates us to recognize the people in our lives that are a source of goodness, expressing thanks helps us strengthen social bonds.
Trust: Some psychologists have associated gratitude with other emotions which bring us closer to people, such as trust. Thanking others who have helped us is a tacit admission of our human vulnerability and an affirmation of our interdependence.
Reflection: Thankfulness allows you to set time aside for yourself. Gratitude encourages the practice of pausing, thinking, and processing. This is a great way for caregivers to focus on self-care and recharge.

Now You Try

Just because thankfulness is good doesn’t mean it’s always easy. But just like most things in life, the more that gratitude is practiced the easier it gets. Adding simple gratitude-focused activities to your daily life can promote a grateful lifestyle.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Make it a daily, weekly, or monthly habit to jot down the things that make you happy and grateful, noting the gifts you received that day, week, or month. Having this list is a good memory jogger that can help you be grateful in those moments when you just can’t seem to think of anything to be grateful for. This list can be a calming influence, allowing you to gain perspective when it’s most needed.

Find Something Every Day That Fills You Up

The act of gratitude is focused on finding the good in the present moment without judgment. Taking 10 minutes in your day to find or create a nugget of delight is an easy way to further appreciate life. You can pray, meditate, or partake in an activity that sparks happiness such as drinking coffee, reading a book, and so on. As you do these things, take an instant to pause and be grateful for that little moment of joy.

Think About the People in Your Life

Whether it’s just a few family members or a larger group including friends and loved ones, caregiving is a community activation. Expressing gratitude helps us reflect on this community and the people in our lives who are positive forces of energy and love. Take a moment and think about how wonderful your life is because of a particular person. Reach out to that person and let them know how much they mean to you. Being with people who support you, understand you, and make it easier for you to remain positive are priceless gifts and brilliant sources of gratitude.

I’m Thankful for… My PowerPak

When you are a caregiver, care recipient, or part of a support system, it can be difficult to see the silver lining through the cloud of daily needs that demand your attention. But focusing on something positive can infuse stressful situations with a sense of calm. The good news is, when you need to find something positive, you can always call on your PowerPak.

What is My PowerPak?

Your PowerPak (everyone has one) is the unique group of family, friends and loved ones that come together to support you when life happens. My PowerPak is a community-based digital platform that provides an inspiring place for people to effortlessly give and receive care. With features, such as journaling, PowerPak Pages, and messenger, My PowerPak helps you keep track of the important people, moments and events along your caregiving journey that make practicing gratitude easier.

The Power of Gratitude in Caregiving