OLH/SL School Nurse - 🥰 Nov-National Gratitude Month

DID YOU KNOW?
Per the Mayo Clinic, expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can also decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.

The Mayo Clinic also states, that kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone, which directly impacts stress levels.
People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer.

What Is Gratitude?

By KidsHealth

Gratitude is one of many positive emotions. It's about focusing on what's good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have.

Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access. It's taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are when something good happens — whether it's a small thing or a big thing.

We can use lots of words to describe feelings of gratitude: We might say we feel thankful, lucky, fortunate, humbled, or blessed.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude doesn't just feel good. Making a habit of gratitude can also be good for us. Like other positive emotions, feeling grateful on a regular basis can have a big effect on our lives. Brain research shows that positive emotions are good for our bodies, minds, and brains.

Positive emotions open us up to more possibilities. They boost our ability to learn and make good decisions.

Positive emotions balance out negative emotions. People who often feel grateful and appreciative are happier, less stressed, and less depressed. Gratitude is like a U-turn on complaining or thinking about what we don't have.

One positive emotion often leads to another. When we feel grateful, we might also feel happy, calm, joyful, or loving.

Gratitude can lead to positive actions. When we feel grateful for someone's kindness toward us, we may be more likely to do a kindness in return. Your gratitude also can have a positive effect on someone else's actions. Thanking people can make it more likely they'll do a kindness again.

Gratitude helps us build better relationships. When we feel and express heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to people in our lives, it creates loving bonds, builds trust, and helps you feel closer.

When we make it a habit to feel grateful, it makes us more aware of good things as they happen.

20 Ideas to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude in Your Children
These can be found from Big Life Journal - Author: Shannon Lambert

1. Say please and thank you.

Our manners show that we do not believe we are entitled to anything and that in fact, we appreciate whatever comes our way.

2. Help someone less fortunate.

This could be your neighbor down the street, grandma, or someone you know who is in a tough spot.

3. Volunteer.

Help out at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen or non-profit.

4. Send out thank you cards.

Express your gratitude for those who have added value to your life.

5. Look for awe-inspiring moments in your day.

If the sunset is particularly beautiful, comment on it. If the sound of the baby’s laughter warms your heart, tell your children. Encourage them to look for their awe-inspiring moments and share them with you.

6. Share your gratitude at bedtime.

Take five minutes at the end of the day to ask your child what he is thankful for that day.

7. Share your gratitude at the dinner table.

Take a moment at dinner time to share what you are thankful for. Go around the table, allowing each family member a chance to vocalize their gratitude.

8. Compliment others.

Encourage your children to do the same. Share the things you appreciate about another person.

9. Keep a gratitude journal.

This can be in any form that works best for your child’s age, skill level and desire. Some children will want to spend time writing their thoughts down. Others may be more apt to express their gratitude through drawing or painting.

10. Write a letter.

Encourage your child to write a letter to someone who has touched his life in some way. If he is comfortable, make a visit to that person to read the letter out loud. If not, mail it.

11. Create a family gratitude list.

Post it on the fridge. Add to it when necessary.

12. Create a family gratitude journal.

Leave it somewhere where everyone can access it and encourage your family to write in it whenever they are feeling grateful.

13. Give someone a gift.

Help your child earn the money and purchase the gift. Or make a gift together.

14. Always look for the positive.

Find something positive in frustrating situations and discuss it.

15. Practice turning complaints into praises.

Coach your children to reword their complaints into something that they appreciate instead.

16. Create a gratitude jar.

Encourage your children to add to it anytime they are feeling grateful for something or someone.

17. Donate to a nonprofit.

Nonprofits serve people in need and at this time of the year, they are always looking for basic necessities, meals, and gifts to give to those in need.

18. Take gratitude walks.

While you walk, look for the simple pleasures in the day, such as the warm sun or the birds singing, and express appreciation for them. Use this time to ask your children what they are grateful for.

19. Ask why.

As your child gets better at expressing gratitude, dig deeper. Ask why he is grateful for something and how it affects his day.

20. Work through envy.

Help your child work through any feelings of jealousy she may have. Envy can come when we are not feeling thankful for what we have, and are focusing instead on what others have.

Gratitude is a skill. An attitude of gratitude is a positive way of looking at life. Gratitude can increase our children’s happiness, teach them to be more empathetic, and help them to be more thankful for everything they have.