The Americans just had their national holiday last week on Thursday called Thanksgiving Day. I found the idea behind it really intriguing, Thanksgiving day began as a day where people would show gratitude for the harvest they have had in the preceding year. The day now is celebrated by having family around and having a nice feast on.
Being grateful for what we have is really important and if you see from all the holy scriptures, you will find evidence of showing gratitude for what you have. We are lucky to have the things we have like the hot food on the plate, warm beds to sleep on, plenty of clothes and the list goes on and on. Being grateful puts our body mentally and physically in a positive state.
As a foster parent, it is important to show gratitude not because only you are accountable, we all are but because it will keep you in a positive state despite your overwhelming schedule. foster parents work non stop around the clock.
This will also help as you will bring a different perspective to your foster child when you’re helping them overcome the trauma of being separated from their family friend and home.
Expressing gratitude improves mental health, physical and general well being. Being grateful also impacts the overall experience of happiness
In 2007, Robert Emmons began researching gratitude through a psychological lens and he found that gratitude has multiple benefits like;
Benefits of Gratitude
- Improved physical, emotional, and social well-being
- Greater optimism and happiness,
- Improved feelings of connection in times of loss or crises
- Increased self-esteem
- Heightened energy levels
- Strengthened heart, immune system, and decreased blood pressure
- Improved emotional and academic intelligence
- Expanded capacity for forgiveness
- Decreased stress, anxiety, depression, and headaches
- Improved self-care and greater likelihood to exercise
- Heightened spirituality — ability to see something bigger than ourselves
I know we all live really busy lives and if you can spare a minute before you retire to bed or first thing when you wake up just close your eyes and think what are we grateful for. It will keep you in a positive state on a daily basis.
