Aging with an Attitude of Gratitude
Thanksgiving may be an annual celebration, but cultivating an attitude of gratitude is a daily practice that can transform your life. Research, such as this study, reveals that gratitude can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and stress while enhancing sleep quality and heart health.
Starting a new habit can be challenging, but sometimes a little inspiration can make all the difference. Consider exploring these videos to ignite your gratitude journey!
The Science of Gratitude
The Science of Gratitude offers simple strategies to weave gratitude into your daily life. It encourages you to celebrate your achievements—no matter how small—and to focus on what you have rather than what you lack.
Nature, Beauty, Gratitude
Nature. Beauty. Gratitude. This TED Talk employs stunning visuals and poetry to celebrate the beauty of life, particularly highlighting the often-overlooked wonders that surround us. The last six minutes are especially enchanting.
The Gratitude Diaries
The Gratitude Diaries illustrates the profound impact of maintaining a gratitude journal. The author emphasizes that true happiness and fulfillment stem from our internal feelings rather than external circumstances. She candidly shares that some days, she could only identify one thing to be grateful for, but the key is consistency in the practice.
Want to make meditation a regular habit? Join Senior Planet’s Cas Castro and other expert trainers in a weekly guided meditation session on Thursdays. During each session, you’ll learn about the benefits of mindful meditation and breathing, followed by time to deepen your practice. No registration required! Learn more here.
If you only have five minutes, try this quick exercise!
How to Encourage Gratitude in Your Life
Antonia Albany, author of Golden Grace: Embracing the Richness of Our Later Years and blogger at The Joy of Aging Gratefully, asserts that incorporating gratitude into your life year-round yields immense rewards in happiness, joy, and love. Here are some of her practical tips:
- Before sleeping, jot down one to five things you are grateful for that day.
- Snap a photo of things you appreciate and share them on social media.
- Compile a list of five people to thank and reach out to them, ideally in person.
- Give back—whether it’s your time, money, or expertise—to those in need.
- Focus on what you have rather than what you want.
- Choose a video on gratitude that resonates with you to reinforce your practice.
YOUR TURN
How do you practice gratitude in your daily life? Are there songs or videos that inspire gratitude for you? For instance, I find that praise music, like Kirk Franklin’s Stomp, never fails to uplift my spirit. Share your tips in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor and a freelance culture reporter. She seeks out hidden gems and unsung treasures for Straus Newspapers, writing about Old School New York City and performing at readings throughout the city. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.
Thanksgiving may be an annual celebration, but cultivating an attitude of gratitude is a daily practice that can transform your life. Research, such as this study, reveals that gratitude can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and stress while enhancing sleep quality and heart health.
Starting a new habit can be challenging, but sometimes a little inspiration can make all the difference. Consider exploring these videos to ignite your gratitude journey!
The Science of Gratitude
The Science of Gratitude offers simple strategies to weave gratitude into your daily life. It encourages you to celebrate your achievements—no matter how small—and to focus on what you have rather than what you lack.
Nature, Beauty, Gratitude
Nature. Beauty. Gratitude. This TED Talk employs stunning visuals and poetry to celebrate the beauty of life, particularly highlighting the often-overlooked wonders that surround us. The last six minutes are especially enchanting.
The Gratitude Diaries
The Gratitude Diaries illustrates the profound impact of maintaining a gratitude journal. The author emphasizes that true happiness and fulfillment stem from our internal feelings rather than external circumstances. She candidly shares that some days, she could only identify one thing to be grateful for, but the key is consistency in the practice.
Want to make meditation a regular habit? Join Senior Planet’s Cas Castro and other expert trainers in a weekly guided meditation session on Thursdays. During each session, you’ll learn about the benefits of mindful meditation and breathing, followed by time to deepen your practice. No registration required! Learn more here.
If you only have five minutes, try this quick exercise!
How to Encourage Gratitude in Your Life
Antonia Albany, author of Golden Grace: Embracing the Richness of Our Later Years and blogger at The Joy of Aging Gratefully, asserts that incorporating gratitude into your life year-round yields immense rewards in happiness, joy, and love. Here are some of her practical tips:
- Before sleeping, jot down one to five things you are grateful for that day.
- Snap a photo of things you appreciate and share them on social media.
- Compile a list of five people to thank and reach out to them, ideally in person.
- Give back—whether it’s your time, money, or expertise—to those in need.
- Focus on what you have rather than what you want.
- Choose a video on gratitude that resonates with you to reinforce your practice.
YOUR TURN
How do you practice gratitude in your daily life? Are there songs or videos that inspire gratitude for you? For instance, I find that praise music, like Kirk Franklin’s Stomp, never fails to uplift my spirit. Share your tips in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor and a freelance culture reporter. She seeks out hidden gems and unsung treasures for Straus Newspapers, writing about Old School New York City and performing at readings throughout the city. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.
