Gratitude is both a practice and a way of life. When we meet the world with feelings of gratitude, it is often followed by positive emotions. Ageing can present itself with difficulties, but feelings of despair and sadness do not necessarily need to be a part of the journey. Practicing gratitude in senior life can lead to many benefits, and we’ve highlighted a few of them below!
Improves mental health
When we practice gratitude, we experience a sense of calmness and connection to ourselves and others. We begin to realize that life is worth living, despite experiencing challenges at any stage of life. This can have a healing effect on our bodies as well as our minds.
Reduces feelings of loneliness
When we lack gratitude for the people and experiences around us, we suffer loneliness. Gratitude is shown to reduce feelings of loneliness by 90%. The more gratitude we experience, the more connected we feel to those around us, as well as the world at large.
Improves relationships
When we show gratitude for the people in our lives, they are more likely to be grateful when we reach out to them for support. Practicing gratitude can help us focus on the positive aspects of each relationship and make us more open and understanding of each other.
Builds on optimism
Gratitude could be described as ‘positive thinking’. Feeling appreciative for what we already have allows us to imagine and create possibilities for ourselves and those around us. This practice is known to foster an optimistic mindset.
How can we develop and practice gratitude in senior life?
There are many different ways to practice gratitude. Some people choose to write a journal entry each day in which they express gratitude for something, whilst others might use a prayer or meditation. The idea of making a conscious effort to feel grateful for everything in your life is not new. Research has shown that gratitude is a skill that can be developed with time and effort.
With a little patience and regular attempts, we guarantee you’ll experience the benefits of this practice! When embraced properly, practicing gratitude on a regular basis will lead to a more positive perspective on life.
