Gratitude is Power for Your Health and Well-Being
Author: Debbie Humphrey
Gratitude is “The state of being grateful; THANKFULNESS.”1
Gratitude. It’s a simple act with extraordinary benefits for everyone, and there’s no better time than the Thanksgiving holiday season to explore how gratitude is power for your health and well-being.
The Mayo Clinic Health System explains that gratitude can improve mental and physical health.
“Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood, and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain, and the risk of disease. If a pill could do this, everyone would be taking it.”
A “magic pill” like this does not exist, so it is up to you and me to make conscious efforts to embrace a gratitude practice and demonstrate gratitude every day.
Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA, and the editorial team at Calm say, “By adding more gratitude to your day, you’re setting yourself up for a happier and healthier life. And the best part? It’s free and accessible to everyone, everywhere, at any time.”
6 Benefits of Gratitude
- Gratitude helps you grasp the positive aspects of life.
Practicing gratitude can shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. Even on tough days, simple moments like a friend’s encouraging words or the beauty of a sunset can remind you of the good surrounding you. The more intentionally you cultivate gratitude, the more easily you’ll begin to notice and appreciate these positive moments in everyday life.
- Gratitude reminds you what is most important.
With so much happening around us, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Gratitude offers a gentle reminder to appreciate the things we often take for granted: our loved ones, our health, and even simple joys like a delicious meal.
- Gratitude helps you live in the present.
Expressing gratitude helps anchor you in the present moment. Instead of dwelling on the past or stressing about what’s ahead, gratitude invites you to appreciate what’s happening right now. It might be savoring a warm cup of coffee or giving your full attention to a friend’s story without planning your response. In these small, meaningful ways, gratitude supports a more mindful and centered way of living.
- Gratitude decreases the urge for comparison.
Living with gratitude can ease the constant pressure to compare yourself to others. When you focus on appreciating what you already have, the urge to measure your life against someone else’s begins to fade. Over time, this mindset can boost your self-esteem and quiet the negative self-talk that often stems from comparisons.
- Gratitude can improve your mood.
Think about a time when someone genuinely thanked you. It felt pretty great, right? Practicing gratitude in your daily life has a similar effect. It naturally lifts your mood, encourages positive emotions, and often inspires you to share that positivity with the people around you.
- Gratitude helps to strengthen relationships.
Sharing your gratitude isn’t just beneficial for you, it also strengthens your relationships. Whether you’re thanking a friend for their support or acknowledging a family member’s effort in preparing a meal, expressing appreciation deepens personal connections. Gratitude is a simple, meaningful way to make the bonds you value even stronger.
8 Ways to Feel More Grateful
- Discover why you want to be more grateful.
Identify why you want to add more gratitude to your life. It may be to improve your mental health or to strengthen your relationships. Whatever the reason, understanding why gratitude is important may help keep you motivated.
- Take baby steps when adding gratitude to your life.
If you’re just beginning a gratitude practice, start small by choosing one thing to appreciate each day. As you continue, you’ll likely find that your list grows on its own.
Gratitude doesn’t have to come from grand gestures or major life events. It can be as simple as enjoying a warm sunny afternoon, savoring your favorite ice cream, or receiving a thoughtful message from a friend. When you pay attention to these everyday moments, you gradually train your mind to notice and appreciate them more often.
- Identify gratitude reminders.
Like reminders we set on our phones, identify specific signs that encourage you to be grateful. For example, when you hear your favorite song on the radio, be grateful and let that serve as a reminder to practice gratitude. When you stop at a traffic light, that pause in your day can remind you to take a few moments to be grateful.
Calm also suggests, “You can even create your own gratitude reminders. Put up sticky notes with messages to ask yourself what made you smile today, or a reminder to name one good thing from that day. Place them where you'll see them often, like on your bathroom mirror, on your fridge, or next to your bed. These notes will prompt you to think about moments of gratitude in your day.”
- Begin a gratitude journal to document what you’re grateful for.
Each night before bed, try jotting down three things that made you feel grateful that day. They don’t need to be major moments. Perhaps a neighbor waved hello, or you encountered an adorable dog during your walk. By consistently reflecting on what you’re thankful for, you strengthen those positive emotions and create a habit that nurtures your well-being.
- Cultivate feelings of gratitude by saying them out loud.
Showing gratitude can be as simple as a heartfelt “thank you.” When someone holds the door, offer a smile and a quick word of thanks. If a friend shares a snack, let them know you truly appreciate it. By practicing gratitude openly, you not only lift your own spirits but may also bring a little extra joy to someone else’s day.
- Practice mindfulness to create an attitude of gratitude.
Being fully present allows you to genuinely appreciate the moment you’re in. Explore the benefits of mindfulness by practicing gratitude meditation and notice how focusing on the present can bring a deeper sense of calm and appreciation to your day.
- Schedule gratitude time each day.
Set aside a few minutes each day to quietly reflect on the things you’re grateful for. Think of it as a simple exercise for your mental well-being. You can do this in the morning to start your day on a positive note or in the evening to unwind. By making it a regular practice, gratitude can become a natural and lasting habit.
- Be kind to yourself.
Some days, finding things to be grateful for can feel challenging, and that’s completely normal. You don’t need to force gratitude every single day. There will inevitably be moments when it doesn’t come easily. The key to a lasting gratitude practice is consistency, not perfection. On those tougher days, be kind and patient with yourself, knowing that each small effort still counts.
“Embracing gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring life’s challenges. It means choosing to focus more attention on the positives than the negatives. This, in turn, brings more abundance into your daily life,” says the team at Calm.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I extend my sincere gratitude to my Home Helpers® team, our beloved clients and their families, my Community Warrior Power Partners, and our neighbors throughout the communities we serve. Without you and your support, Home Helpers® would not be the thriving, award-winning home care agency it is!
My team and I strive to maintain an attitude of gratitude every day, because we are all thankful that we can provide exceptional in-home care services for seniors and veterans in the Clearwater area. Whether it’s companion care, 24-hour shift care, specialized care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, or any combination of home care services, we are here 24/7/365 to make life easier.
I gladly offer a FREE Assessment at your convenience to discuss specific needs and create a personalized care plan that is just right for you or a senior you love.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Activated Insights Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2025 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Awards in 2025, along with the Caring Super Star 2025 Award.
Home Helpers Clearwater proudly serves male and female seniors, veterans, and differently abled individuals in Bayonet Point, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Gulfport, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, Madeira Beach, New Port Richey, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pass A Grille, Pass A Grille Beach, Port Richey, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs, Tierra Verde, Treasure Island, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539
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