Think back to the happiest moments of your life. This could be the birth of children, weddings, big accomplishments, or many other things. The pictures below may help to bring about positive thoughts. Click the large arrow on the right side of the image to move to the next image in the collection.

Doing things for others as well as ourselves can improve our mood and help us manage pain.

Do Something for Someone Else

At least five days this week, try to do one kind thing for someone else. This person can be a complete stranger or a friend or family member. When you do kind things for other people, look them in the eye and smile, but do not expect anything in return. These can be small acts of kindness such as writing a kind letter, calling a friend or family member to check on them, holding a door open, sharing a genuine compliment or giving somebody a hug.

Do Something For Yourself

Taking care of yourself is important! At least five days this week, do one kind thing for you. People with chronic pain tend to put others first and sometimes forget to be kind to themselves.

Knowledge is Power!

• Article: Pain Research Forum. Helping Others Eases Pain

• Article with Videos: The Positive Psychlopedia. How to Cultivate Kindness

Thinking about the things you are grateful for can make you think more positively and improve your mood. You will use the gratitude jar you received in your enrollment packet for this activity.

Examples

Examples of things you may be grateful for include: a friendly neighbor, being able to find info on internet, or a new day. The following videos give you tips for how to find moments of gratitude in your daily life.

• Video: Aspen. Practicing Gratitude (and 10 things I'm grateful for)

• Video: SoulPancake. Kid President's 25 Reasons to be Thankful

Write down your grateful moments and savor them

For this activity, write down one thing you feel most grateful for on a piece of paper, fold up this piece of paper and drop it in your gratitude jar.

At the end of the week, you will close your “gratitude account,” which means you will open the gratitude jar and read and savor all the deposited expressions of gratitude.

Knowledge is Power!

• Article with Videos: The Positive Psychlopeida. How to Cultivate Gratitude

• Article with Videos: The Positive Pyschlopedia. When Gratitude is hard, try this

• Video: Brent Brown. Joy and Gratitude

What does it mean to savor something? It means to think about something you like, to notice all its different aspects, and to hold on to your positive thoughts about it for a few extra moments!

Review your morning routine, your daily activities, and your evening rituals. Consider how much time you spend noticing and enjoying the pleasures of the day, both small and large. Every day for the next week, be sure to savor at least two experiences (such as your morning coffee, or the sun on your face as you walk to your car). Spend at least 2-3 minutes savoring each experience, taking in the moment using as many senses as possible (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell).

Knowledge is Power!

• Article: The Positive Psychlopedia. What is Savoring?

• Video: Laurie Santos. Savoring - The Science of Well-Being by Yale University

• Video: SoulPancake. What makes you happy? | 0-100