This time of year, many of us start to think about giving thanks. In this month’s Teal Talk, MOCA Community Support Program Manager Stefanie Gliniany shares ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily life throughout the year.
Practicing gratitude can play a key role in coping with a cancer diagnosis and improve our overall well-being. Engaging in daily gratitude activities and exercises such as journaling or meditation, can help develop practices that can improve quality of life.
Here are some ideas to help cultivate gratitude in your life this month.
- Keep a gratitude journal. Take time each day to write down five things you’re grateful for. By writing it down, you can go back and look at it when you’re having a hard day.
- Take turns in a “gratitude hot seat”. Take turns during get-togethers or at the dinner table to verbalize your gratitude toward each other.
- Create a gratitude wall. Find a spot in your home where you can place positive messages. Leave notepads and pens nearby, so you can easily post a note. Invite family members to join!
- Write a gratitude letter. Write a note or mail a card to someone who has an impact on you.
- Use gratitude guided imagery. Take time to reflect on the things or people that have contributed positively in your life.
When we practice these exercises, we begin to make gratitude part of our daily routine Remember, you can practice gratitude anywhere or anytime!
