November is the ideal month to highlight and center our focus on what we are grateful for in our lives. Gratitude is the “state of being grateful: thankfulness.”  Research on gratitude supports that expressing and feeling grateful is healing and increases happiness. Expressing gratitude can also benefit our mental health through increased feelings of wellbeing, pleasure and contentment that result from our actions. Practicing the expression of gratitude, verbally or through journaling, can improve our physical health through better sleep and decreased stress. Expressing gratitude helps our personal relationships by increasing trust and loyalty. Even our work productivity and willingness to take on responsibilities increases when we feel gratefulness towards, and from, our leaders, managers and coworkers.

Perhaps November can be a starting point in developing a gratitude practice.  It may be a new topic or idea for many.  A few tips to get started: notice or look for good things and take time to savor and appreciate them. Speak positively to yourself and others. Journal throughout or at the end of the day, write down three to five things you felt grateful for each day.  Spend time with someone who expresses gratitude.

We appreciate the people who have contributed to our blog throughout the year.  In keeping with the spirit of generosity, they have shared with us what they are grateful for in 2024.

Donyll Kiah, February 2024 – This year I am thankful for the health and safety of my family. With the arrival of my first grandchild, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to watch her grow and blossom every day. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of an amazing team of healthcare professionals who support not only their patients, and customers but also each other.  I look forward to an exciting year ahead! Happy Holidays to All! 

Gina Hoots, March 2024 – As I look back on 2024, I am filled with gratitude for the advancements and collaborations that have propelled our profession forward. Evidence-based guidelines have brought clarity to patient care, providing us with tools that make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Working with dedicated professionals and companies like Methapharm, who prioritize precise diagnostics and support for front line caregivers, has been invaluable. I am grateful for the opportunity to share and learn within this committed community, continually working together to improve respiratory health for all.

Sheila Mackie, April and September 2024 – As each year passes, I am so grateful for my loving family, my great friends, and my fantastic co-workers. I am also continually thankful for my health, having a warm home, living in Massachusetts, my career, and all the opportunities that enrich my life.

Sherian Kington, May 2024 – There are so many things that I can say I am grateful for and feel really blessed to have. Things like good health and the ability to afford groceries in this challenging economy make me thankful and even more appreciative of the precious things in life that money can’t buy—my children and my spouse. Coming home to a place of love and peace every day brings me a tremendous amount of joy and happiness. The ability to build lasting memories in an environment that allows my family to shut off the outside world if and when we need to is priceless. So, I am most thankful for health, the ability to provide for my children, and the opportunities that come with such a blessing that we can sometimes take for granted.

Ryan Burton, July 2024 – I am grateful for another year of good health.  I am continuously shocked when I hear of friends and family my age that have received news of an acute or chronic health concern.  In listening to individuals who have gone through these struggles the message is usually the same, “Don’t take your health for granted.”  Good health (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual) is an integral part of everything we do in life.  I’ll continue to make sure to be grateful for good health as long as I’m lucky enough to have it.

Heather Murgatroyd, June, August, October 2024 – I am particularly grateful for my parents. They are both in their 80s and are healthy. They have modeled to our family how to age well by staying active both physically and mentally.  Their example of embracing the world around them and staying up to date on what is happening in the world is invaluable to those of us following them.  My siblings, our children and our grandchildren receive the gifts of their wisdom and humor with every gathering and visit we have with them.

 References

The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain. 9 Apr 2019 by Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury, BA. Scientifically reviewed by William Smith, Ph.D.

https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/#hero-single