Giving thanks isn’t just a quaint practice reserved for a single day in November. Science actually backs up the mental health value of regularly taking time for gratitude. At The Pavilion in Williamsburg, Virginia, we treat patients whose behavioral health is disrupting their ability to enjoy their daily lives, and we take a whole-person approach to their treatment, which recognizes the need to nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
How Gratitude Impacts Mental Health
Practicing gratitude teaches the brain to slow down and notice the good things in life. These might be large or small, but noticing them can increase a person’s happiness and sense of well-being. While gratitude does not replace mental health treatment for those who need it, people who regularly practice gratitude report increased life satisfaction; decreased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger; and better ability to regulate their emotions. One reason this works is that our brains have difficulty focusing on negative thoughts and feelings while also focusing on good experiences. By consistently engaging our minds in thankfulness, we train our brains not to dedicate resources to unpleasant emotions that lead to depression and anxiety.
Saying No to Toxic Positivity
This does not mean that people are not allowed to feel sadness, fear, anger, frustration, or other difficult emotions. It also does not mean that people who experience mental illness are at fault because they weren’t appreciative enough. It is normal and healthy to feel a wide range of things, and we shouldn’t feel guilty or equate these feelings to ingratitude. Instead, we can use our painful experiences as motivation to make changes or seek out the support we need and deserve.
Ways to Experience Gratitude
How you choose to integrate thankfulness into your life is your own decision. It should not feel forced or inauthentic. There are many different ways to add gratitude to your routine, some of which include:
- Gratitude journaling – spend a little time each day or each week recording a few things that make you feel grateful. You can do this in a physical journal, a phone app, your social media statuses, or a word processing file. This does not need to be time-consuming practice.
- Saying “thank you” – if someone has done something that brightened your day, you can call, email, or send a letter to thank them. Better yet, spend time with them, face to face, and tell them that you appreciate what they did. This can have a positive impact on both of you and on your relationship with each other.
- Recognizing small victories – it is not necessary for something to be large to be worthy of appreciation. Sure, it’s great to buy a new car, get a promotion at work, or get married, but a good cup of coffee, running into a friend unexpectedly, or having a few extra minutes to snuggle with your pet are also experiences worthy of gratitude.
- Focusing on the present moment – by being mindful about what you are doing throughout your day, you greatly reduce the chances that you will miss an opportunity to express appreciation for even the little things that make your life better.
- Giving to others – performing acts of kindness has been shown to make people feel gratitude. You can volunteer at a shelter, pick up trash, or donate to the local food pantry. In the colder months of the year, you can collect winter coats for people who cannot buy them, bring holiday joy to nursing homes, or purchase toys for children from low-income families.
- Appreciating nature – for many people, a beautiful sunset, a colorful flower, or the serenity of a river can cause them to feel awe and gratitude. Taking time to quietly reflect on the beauty in front of you can be a very spiritual experience.
At The Pavilion, we give thanks for our patients and their families. It is our privilege to help adults and seniors who are struggling with mental health concerns and to assist their families in developing the skills they need to offer the best possible support to their loved ones. Our services include cognitive behavioral therapy, recreational therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, individualized treatment plans, around-the-clock nursing care, nutritional consultation, expressive therapy, and family participation.
