Ageing Well with Gratitude
Ageing Well with Gratitude
Laura one of our reporters shares with us ageing with gratitude thoughts for those of us ageing well to get wrapped up in the negative aspects of our lives, especially at this time of year. Thoughts of the loss of loved ones, diminishing health, and slower days after living a life working or bringing up children can leave us feeling confused or bewildered.
My mission these past 2 years is researching and finding ways to be happy, and although it's not easy as we enter and live through the 3rd stage of our life it is possible. We all face life situations differently and I feel sure at some point just like me you may have wondered 'what can I do to make it easier on myself? Without having someone telling us to just flip the 'happy switch 'on.
However, over the years, I found practicing gratitude is one way to help ourselves deal with the changes we are experiencing. Practicing gratitude is easy once you get in the habit of it, and the benefits are truly transformative.
Why reflect on our Gratitude's?
From research, witnessing others change within my 'happy' workshops and from my own personal experience, being compassionate to ourselves and others, being grateful for what we still have and for the people around us can truly have a positive impact on our mental health.
Below are some examples of how practicing gratitude can benefit us:
• Emotional: Outlook more optimistic, able to recall happier memories, feel good more often, live more in the moment, less comparison and being less depressed.
• Socially: Being friendlier and more approachable to others, able to try something new, develop more friendships, and engage in fun activities that improve health.
• Health benefits: Sleep better, more energy, less focus on illness and more focus on wellness and lowers blood pressure.
How do you practice Gratitude?
First and foremost try not to implement too many things all at once. Think of mindfulness, do one thing at a time with absolute focused attention and do it until it becomes a habit. Then attempt another form of practice.
Ideas of practice below:
• Go for a mindful walk, point out beautiful things around you and appreciate what you see and hear, like a pretty flower, the clouds, or a dog happily running around in the park.
• Do a guided meditation and focus on the things you are grateful for. There are many available on YouTube.
• When going down memory lane, focus on the positive memories that invoke a smile. And a good feeling. Raising our vibe has been proven to heal us from within.
• Reflect on acceptance for your current situation. Although your circumstances may not be ideal, it doesn't mean that there is nothing else to be grateful or thankful for in your life.
• Write daily in a gratitude journal. Focusing on the people, events, and experiences that have a positive impact on your life for only five minutes a day can help us to be more grateful for what we have.
• Writing gratitude letters can help to home in on the people that are special to us and the positive things that happen in our lives. There's no need to send the letters, unless you'd really like to without the expectation of a reply, imagine how the receiver will feel!
• Get in the habit of saying "please" and "thank you" when someone helps you or gives you something. Our life is made up of small things so saying thank you to whoever made dinner or cleaned the room will be appreciated.
• A fun thing to do is to make a gratitude collage with pictures cut out of magazines of the things and places you appreciate.
• Making eye contact, smiling, or complimenting someone can do wonders for the soul.
• Instead of listening to the news or watching dramas, have a go at watching inspiring videos which remind you of the good there is still in the world.
• Doing a small act of kindness every day will make people feel good about themselves and you.
• Gratitude can be shared during meal time while encouraging everyone to participate. Consider rekindling the prayer 'for what I am about to receive may I be truly thankful amen'.
Helping others
• Helping others can make us feel good and below are some ideas of meaningful activities you can help with:
• Spending time at the local animal shelter to care for, play with, or to take an animal for a walk.
Spend time in an Intergenerational activity, teaching, supporting, and loving children and youth who may not have access to a grandparent.
The Power of Practicing Gratitude
We need our own validation and recognition for the things that hurt, physically or emotionally, but we can help ourselves by being grateful every day for what still have and can do.
If you would like to learn more about how gratitude helps increase your wellbeing, please get in touch. Happiness Life Coach & Ageing Well Ambassador Time4Calm@gmail.com
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