There is nothing wrong with setting goals for yourself. It's not wrong to work to achieve them or search for simple fixes that can make your life better. However, it is easy to allow changes you would like to make to overshadow the good things in your life. Being intentional about demonstrating gratitude can help you find the balance between appreciating people and things that enrich your life. It can help you in deciding which potential changes are truly the most beneficial. It can also positively impact your mental and emotional health in a wide range of ways.
Better Mental Health
Constantly thinking about the negative aspects of your life or the things you do not have can take a significant toll on your mental health. Knowing that it is impossible to ever have everything you would like to have and still spending time trying to reach that point can increase stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Being intentional about demonstrating gratitude about how the things you do have benefitted your life can go a long way toward relieving many of the symptoms of these concerns.
Improved Relationships
Most people enjoy spending time with people that do not spend the majority of their time complaining. Keeping your conversations centered on things you enjoy is much better than talking about things you wish were different. It can also be difficult to form genuine relationships with people if you do not make it clear that you value and enjoy spending time with them. Taking the time to show the people in your life that you are grateful for them and value the time you are able to spend with them can go a long way. It can be a way towards building deeper relationships with family members, neighbors, and friends.
Better Sleep and Productivity
The stress and anxiety that a lack of contentment can contribute to are not limited to daytime hours. These negative thoughts can also make falling asleep more difficult. It can interfere with the overall quality of your sleep, which can leave you feeling less rested. This can also make it more difficult to be as productive as you would like to be during the day. Think about what you are grateful for and why those things enrich your life as you are falling asleep. This way, you can make sure that working toward your goals does not overshadow the things you already have.
Senior Helpers of Portland West is here to help seniors in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and surrounding areas live better lives during their senior years. Being intentional about demonstrating gratitude for the good things in your life is an important step in avoiding the thoughts of things you wish were different consume you. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer!