Gratitude is much more than a simple thank you. Gratitude is genuine appreciation and thankfulness for the meaningful or precious people and things in your life. Gratitude is one of those things that people assume is good for the elderly, but they don't know why. Here are six mental and emotional benefits the elderly reap from demonstrating gratitude from Senior Helpers Salem, OR.
Demonstrating Gratitude Is the Secret to Happiness
Gratitude is directly related to happiness. According to Dr. Kristin Francis, MD, a Huntsman Mental Insitute psychiatrist, thankfulness triggers dopamine and serotonin, the hormones responsible for happiness. When you or your elderly are thankful, it strengthens their brain, creating long-lasting positivity.
Furthermore, happiness is transmittable. Experts concur that when you or your elderly loved one are happy, they share that happiness with others, provide psychological support, and forgive effortlessly.
It Strengthens Your Relationships
According to the Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology, when you're grateful for the people in your life, it strengthens them and makes them feel appreciated for who they are. It also helps you to be more compassionate, patient, forgiving, and understanding of others' flaws—all qualities that make a great friend or partner. Demonstrating gratitude helps you see things from another person's perspective, allowing you to recognize your own mistakes. All these things make communication easier between friends and family members struggling with each other's needs.
It Can Lower Stress Levels
When we are grateful, we are more mindful of the present moment and see what is happening around us. Focusing on the present moment prevents our thoughts from drifting to the past or future events.
Furthermore, gratitude is a great way to regulate emotions, as a gratitude study published in Scientific Reports. When you focus more on the people and things you are grateful for, your heart rate decreases, giving you a calming and soothing feeling. Even in a stressful environment, focusing on what you are grateful for calms your body and mind, reducing stress levels.
Helps You Sleep Like a Baby
Gratitude is a great way to improve your sleep. Sleep deprivation and insomnia are increasingly serious problems, especially for seniors in Albany and Corvallis, and gratitude can help. Rather than counting sheep when you are sleep deprived, consider taking 15 minutes to journal the things you are grateful for.
According to Michael J. Breus, Ph.D. clinical psychologist and the author of beauty sleep, sleep journaling erases all the day's negativity, leaving what you are grateful for. You'll be less stressed and more relaxed and sleep soundly.
Boosts Self-Esteem
When you or your elderly loved ones in Dallas or Keizer are lonely, their self-esteem reduces considerably. Loneliness can make you or your elderly loved one focus more on negativity, leading to mental and physical health issues.
This study found that gratefulness is a great way to build self-esteem. Regular gratitude helps you appreciate the positivity in your life, boost your self-worth, keep you in the present, reduce negative emotions, such as anger, bitterness, and resentment, and helps you build and solidify your social connections.
Boosts Overall Health
Gratitude has been shown to improve your heart health. According to Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at UC Davis, practicing gratitude lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, and improves sleep quality.
Additionally, demonstrating gratitude boosts mental health by increasing empathy, moods, optimism, kindness, love, energy, morality, positivity, mindfulness, and relaxation and helps you adopt a journaling culture.
Gratitude: A Regular Dose of Feel Good
Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.
- Cicero, The Roman philosopher
Gratitude can go a long way in improving your life and that of your elderly loved ones. There's a lot to be thankful for. At Senior Helpers Salem, OR, we are thankful for trusting us with your elderly loved ones. We are thankful for allowing us to care for them and improve their quality of life. You can always rest assured that they are in safe, professional, and compassionate hands. Contact us, Senior Helpers Salem, OR, today.