November is overflowing with noteworthy topics to write about—especially in the world of health and wellness. So here I was faced with the dilemma of narrowing it down to just one or tossing the “theme” idea out the window all together. (Even though as you read this, we are headed towards month’s end, they are all so worthy of recognition). I decided on the former and the task at hand was not easy. Here’s why.
November is National Family Caregiver’s Month, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, and American Diabetes Month. Of course it is also the gracious host of Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. To complicate matters, a flood of memories came over me while perusing all the options and reflecting on each one.
Through my work over the years I’ve had the opportunity to be a resource of support for hundreds of family caregivers. I have also been a family caregiver and am very familiar with the rewards and challenges that are a part of that journey. I”ve worked closely with the Alzheimer’s Association and have had loved ones, both family members and dear friends, whose lives were shadowed by memory care issues. I’ve spent nearly 10 years working in hospice care and an additional 5 as a hospice volunteer.
Through this experience I’ve had the privilege to be present with those who made their transition from this life. Among them were patients I barely knew, yet felt a strong connection to, and loved ones who were dear to me. Hospice work also introduced me to the We Honor Veterans program, yet another honor, to honor those who have served our country.
And, while I currently help guide people through a nutrition and lifestyle program based on blood sugar and hormonal balance, I chose not to focus on American Diabetes Month, as appropriate as it seemed. Although each topic brought back profound, heartfelt memories, I noticed there was one common thread among them —gratitude! So did I decide to go with Thanksgiving? Not entirely. (But if you read to the end you will find an invitation to receive a tasty pumpkin themed snack recipe and my favorite sweet potato casserole recipe!)
Since gratitude is what resurfaced each and every time, I decided to focus on just that, along with the health benefits it brings when practiced consistently. Not to worry, I’m not approaching this from an affirmation chanting, journaling point of view (although those are great tools) but, in a way that may pique the interest of even the greatest skeptic and hard nosed realist. It occurred to me that I am grateful for each of the experiences described above, even though the struggles through them at times were as real as the blessings. So please stay with me on this brief tour of how gratitude can benefit your health.
A good place to start is with the realization that gratitude doesn’t seem to depend on everything going right. This is profound yet often overlooked. Those who struggle with chronic illness, trauma survivors, and those in stressful life circumstances still show improved mental health when they deliberately focus on what’s going well. It’s not necessary to create an illusion that pain or injustice don’t exist. However it does require acknowledging that both good and bad can coexist—and training your brain to notice the good more often. An improved mood and outlook can shed a guiding light on your day.
Over time, with intentionality that small shift in focus appears to change how your brain and body handle everything else. For example, if we say we are grateful but we’re always complaining. The brain will have difficulty finding that gratitude and allowing it to penetrate.
Studies show that people who regularly express gratitude have been found to have lower resting blood pressure and reduced markers of inflammation. These effects aren’t enormous—no one’s claiming gratitude can replace medication or medical care—but they are meaningful! They suggest that a grateful mindset might nudge your body out of a chronic low-level stress response and into a more balanced state. A more balanced state lightens our days and creates space for approaching tasks with more focus and clarity. It may not be “enormous “ but it’s a pretty big deal. It’s something within our control.
This is merely a snippet of what gratitude can do for you. It’s not a bullet proof shield and won’t make you immune to mishaps, but it might make you a little less tired, a little more patient, and a little more grounded in the midst of daily chaos. And if that sounds too good to be true, there’s an easy way to find out—try it consistently for 30 days. I’d love your feedback!
Today I express my gratitude to you by offering my favorite Sweet Potato Casserole recipe and another for tasty Pumpkin Protein Squares. Simply reply with the comment “healthy & delicious” and I’ll send them your way!
