A Season of Thanksgiving: How to Practice Gratitude

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, friends, colleagues, or the local community, let us remember to give thanks for all the good things in our lives, whether they are extraordinary or mundane.  

Practicing gratitude offers us opportunities to relive happy memories, see things from a new perspective, improve our mental and physical health, experience positive emotions, and build relationships with others.

It also helps us notice the good things in life and who to thank for them, such as a higher power, other people, or the world. In addition, gratitude can increase empathy, enhance self-esteem and resilience, and reduce aggression.

Each morning when I begin the day at my hospital, I send an inspirational email to the leadership team and start by sharing three things that I’m grateful for. These blessings range from people to nature to something that I’ve learned. I then ask the team to consider what they are grateful for.

This practice helps me remember that there is good in the world, even during times when I feel discouraged.

To jump-start this habit in your life, consider these options:

Start a gratitude journal. At the start or end of your day, write down three things you’re grateful for, whether it’s a conversation with a friend, a beautiful natural scene, a lesson learned, or persevering through a challenging situation.

Variations on this practice: 1. Gratitude jar – write down things you’re grateful for on slips of paper, put them in the jar, and look at them at the end of the year. 2. Gratitude tree – create paper ornaments, write down things you’re grateful for and hang them on the tree.

Write thank-you notes to people who’ve impacted your life in meaningful ways. Share what a difference they’ve made to you and how your life has changed because of your relationship with them. Be specific and share why they are important to you, your family, or your company/organization.

As you visit with loved ones, colleagues, or others for Thanksgiving, invite people to share what they’re grateful for and celebrate those things together.

Post gratitude and other positive quotes in your home or workspace to reflect on when you have a difficult day and need comfort, strength, hope, or peace. Consider sharing these with other people.

Invite a friend, family member, or colleague to spend time with you or arrange a time for them to spend time with others. Remember to do something that the recipient likes to do.

Give someone a high five, fist bump, pat on the shoulder, or thumbs up when they do something you appreciate or did a good job on. Be sure to check to see what that person feels most comfortable with before touching them and keep the gesture appropriate for the setting and your relationship.

Buy a gift for someone. Remember to make it personal for the recipient.

Do an act of kindness for someone else. If you offer to help someone complete a task, check to see how they want it done and be sure to complete it.

Watch a video about gratitude or meditate on gratitude.

Create a piece of art that incorporates pictures of the people, pets, objects, or experiences you’re grateful for.

Lee Health Spiritual Services

Lee Health’s Spiritual Services department promotes a healing environment by addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, their families, staff and volunteers.

Staff members are clinically trained and board-certified professionals who represent the highest standard of education and practice, including:

• ​Prayers, invocations and blessings
• Compassionate and active listening
• Rituals, rites and sacraments
• Sacred texts and religious resources
• Crisis intervention
• Connection with local faith communities
• Pre- and postoperative visits

You can read more about these and other services, including bereavement, parish nurse program, and additional spiritual support here.

To schedule a spiritual consultation, ask a question, or request information, please call 239-343-5199. As always, anonymity is valued and respected.

Spiritual Services Endowment Fund

Make a difference by supporting the mission of Lee Health Spiritual Services. Your tax-deductible donation, made through the Lee Health Foundation, will allow us to continue its efforts on behalf of Lee Health patients and the community.

For more information, go here or contact Lee Health Foundation at 239-343-6950. 

To donate online, go here.