How To Be Thankful This “Happiness Happens Month”
Early this year we published a blog post about gratitude and we hoped all readers would practice some tips we mentioned. Since August is “Happiness Happens Month”, we thought we would look at some ways to be thankful, and how we can still be thankful, even when we don’t feel very happy or thankful.
In this blog post, we’re exploring thankfulness from a different angle. We’re trying to answer the question: “How do I feel thankful when I have nothing to be thankful for?” There is a lot going on in the world, and it can often feel like not much of it is good. On top of that, we all have our own problems to deal with. So how do we feel thankful?
Our January blog post explored some ways to facilitate feeling and being thankful, and why gratitude matters. Gratitude can be a powerful tool in dismissing negativity and leading to a positive mindset. To summarize, the benefits of gratitude include reduced stress while developing stronger mental health and emotional resilience, better relationships, and greater levels of happiness, empathy, and compassion, as well as greater self-esteem. Oh, and it could improve your sleep and your physical health.
Let’s Be Real
Feeling thankful or happy shouldn’t be a chore or some kind of test. If you’re not feeling it, just be honest with yourself. No one is happy all the time and you shouldn’t sublimate your feelings for something you’re “supposed to feel”. It’s important to acknowledge your genuine feelings. Try talking about them, writing in a journal about them, or just being mindful.
Our clients often comment that chatting with our in-home care providers really helps to take a load off.
Is Positivity A Step Too Far?
Sometimes we go through patches in our lives where everything feels wrong. But, even then, we can find something that is at least a little positive. If not, maybe something neutral that may not make you feel positive, but that at least doesn’t make you feel negative. Such as a pretty mural, or spring flowers. Or maybe that it’s Friday afternoon and you finally have the weekend to yourself. If we can’t find anything positive, it’s important to acknowledge the neutral things and realize not everything is negative.
“Thank You”
Just saying “thank you” can have a big impact on how you’re feeling. The action of saying “thank you” helps us to notice the positive things that are all around us. It doesn’t matter that it’s something as small as thanking someone who says “bless you” when we sneeze, or someone who holds the elevator for us. The act of thanking someone reveals that there are pockets of kindness happening all around us.
A List
Try making a list of thanks. It can be a good way to brighten your mood, but try to make it detailed. Don’t just write: I am thankful for my family. Instead, try delving deeper. For instance: I am thankful for my sister, who may be a little brash, but underneath her spiky exterior is a caring person who makes time to chat over coffee and helps me put things in proportion.
It doesn’t even have to be a person. You could list a funny joke you heard, or kitten videos on YouTube. They all count, and, as long as it makes you thankful, nothing is too trivial.
Life Through A Different Lens
It’s always worth taking another look at life and the world from a different perspective by reframing the situation you’re facing. Getting a different angle on things means it can be easier to see the bright side. So reframe the situation and you’ll start seeing the opportunities of a situation rather than the downsides, and see the positive points. Here are some questions you can use as prompts.
- What can I learn from this difficult time?
- What will help me navigate this challenge?
- What experiences from past situations will help me overcome this challenge?
- What has this experience revealed to me about myself?
- What can I take away from this experience that may help me with future challenges?
The Takeaway
Be honest with yourself and don’t try to feel something you don’t genuinely feel. If you feel down, be real and own it. But try to identify some things that don’t make you feel negatively. If you can’t find things that make you feel positive, at least identify things you feel are neutral rather than negative. Try to notice when you say “thank you” to someone. You’ll soon find that you say it at least a few times each day, often for minor things, but it is often those seemingly minor things that remind us that there is still a lot of good in the world.
It’s always a good idea to make lists. Not only do they help to break down larger tasks, but they can help to keep things in proportion. Make a list of things you are thankful for, no matter how trivial, and you’ll soon see that you’re more thankful than you thought. Don’t forget to look at things using a different perspective, and ask yourself some reframing questions that will allow you to see the silver lining to any situation.
If you have a loved one who needs a little care and lots of smiles, contact EJAI Loves Homecare in Florida to discuss their in-home care service. The team is ready to take your call and go through the options to give your loved one the assistance they deserve to stay in their own home. Greater independence through compassion and quality care together at home.
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Seize the day and contact EJAI Loves Homecare today to see how they can help you and your loved ones