Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9 NIV
In these verses, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our current actions and thoughts have a direct effect on our future.
When we are tired or in pain, it can be easy to get frustrated or discouraged and start complaining. This negative attitude rarely does anything to help us feel better. In fact, research has shown that pessimism can raise stress levels and worsen overall health.
Seniors can counter this by cultivating a positive attitude instead. One of the ways they can get started is by practicing a spirit of gratitude.
While seniors should always talk honestly with their doctors and caregivers about their health and pain, they can actually help themselves feel better by choosing to focus on the good in their life. Here are a few other benefits of gratitude seniors can enjoy.
When seniors choose to count their blessings, it can help them to see the good in each day and the ways that God has previously and is currently taking care of them. This realization can provide comfort and hope for seniors facing chronic health conditions or worries about life and family that might otherwise cause discouragement.
Blessings can be small, such as a flower blooming outside a senior's window, or as big as having a friend to sit with at lunch each day. It may be difficult at first to recognize blessings for what they are if seniors aren't used to actively looking for them.
Seniors can improve their ability to see the good in each day by keeping a gratitude journal and writing down three things that they were thankful for or made them happy before they go to bed at night.
Spending time with an overly negative person can be draining, whereas the opposite is also true. Optimistic individuals are often sought out for company or advice due to their cheerful attitude.
Seniors can help fuel conversations with positive energy when they offer sincere thanks for the things that others do for them and share uplifting stories about the things they have experienced lately.
By doing this, seniors can be a source of encouragement to their loved ones and friends, potentially influencing them to think about the good in their own lives and to live in gratitude as well.
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