Psychological research over two decades shows that cultivating gratitude offers people of all ages emotional and social benefits. There's now evidence that starting in mid-adulthood, people naturally tend to become more grateful. That is good news for older adults.
We are feeling grateful with age – for healthy relationships, life experiences and quality of life. Aging comes with perspective shift. We learn to reframe our mindset for aging and continue to live with purpose and meaning throughout life span. Gratitude increases from appreciation and gratitude practices.
We share gratitude and appreciations with
family, friends, and others. Feeling thankful can make us happy in short
and long run. Some people rarely feel thankful at all, no matter what,
or think gratitude as an obligation they owe in return for favors; in
fact, gratitude is inner happiness. Gratitude is defined as “the quality
of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return
kindness.” It is important to understand that personal growth is not
isolated but inter-related with supports from others. Therefore,
gratitude practice is essential for happy people, who build sincere
friendships, trustworthy social networks, and better quality of life.
They enjoy life’s pleasures, connect with nature and express gratitude
openly. Gratitude will bring the family and friend circle closer, build trust, and bring you the sense of life satisfaction and happiness.
Practice gratitude benefits us in many ways. People
who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect
upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions,
feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and
even have stronger immune systems. In positive psychology research, gratitude
is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.
Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good
experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong
relationships. Whether or not these attitudes come to you naturally,
paying attention to life's positives can train you to see and appreciate
more and more of them, which will help you learn to be more
grateful.
Gratitude may be difficult, because life is difficult. Even
beyond stress and depression, there are many ordinary circumstances in
which gratitude doesn’t come easily. We can turn our negative feelings
around by focusing on the good things in life and practice gratitude
consciously. At the end of each day, ask yourself how your day was and
think (or better to write down on your gratitude journal) at least three things to thank for.
Think back - When was the last time you were grateful for
your family? Or friendships? Or free smiles from anyone? More seriously,
think of the small, ordinary which seems useless things you experience —
the fresh air, the food, the peaceful day, etc. Give thanks with a
smile. Say thanks to someone every day.
Ordinary life is worth of your heartily thankfulness. Something in nature may be small and unnoticeable in the busy life; up on one day you made the nature connection to appreciate it.
Ordinary life is worth of your heartily thankfulness. Something in nature may be small and unnoticeable in the busy life; up on one day you made the nature connection to appreciate it.
The sunshine, the raindrops, the fresh air, the beautiful moon and starry sky, and everything in nature, enjoy and appreciate them in the heart. Being happy is simple and being simple makes us happy.
Experiencing nature is grateful. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
Tips for nature connection
and appreciation
· Tune in with your senses: breath in the fresh air, listen to the sound of birds, smell the earthy soil, watch the colors of leaves, sing a favorite song and observe wildlife.
· Stay awhile at a comfortable spot and enjoy without distractions.
· Be curious and learning more about trees, plants, mushrooms, wildlife behaviors, etc of your interests.
· Join a local or on-line club, such as bird watching, mushroom foraging, photography, to share with and learn from others.
I have a personal story to share – please click to read my Mourning Dove Story. I truly enjoy wildlife in nature and the nest observation experience, hope you do too.
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