An Electronic Mental Health Newsletter from Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. & Associates Volume 17, Number 11
November’s e-Letter is about gratitude and the positive impacts of giving thanks and appreciating others.
While similar, there is a difference between gratitude and giving thanks.
Being thankful is a recognition of receiving something beneficial. Expressing gratitude is deeper; it is not only recognition but the appreciation of something given or being done for you.
This appreciation can lead to good feelings as well as a sense of humility.
It is also one of the most common behaviors found in all value systems and demonstrates respect for others.
With gratitude, people just feel better when they thank others or when they are thanked. How do you feel when someone does something nice like holding the door open for you?
Dr. Kimmel’s monthly blog is about Inspirational Quotes and can be found here.
This month we are also including a post written by our Career Development Coach, Meredith Kimmel. You can read her post “Harvesting Success: Cultivating Gratitude in Your Career Journey” here this Thanksgiving.
We hope you find the enclosed information helpful during the very challenging times we are now living in.
We also thank you for reading our e-Letters.
GRATITUDE AND GIVING THANKS!
(Photo by Fresh Concept)
Thankfulness and gratitude refer to acknowledging and appreciating a benefit that a person has or will receive. Thankfulness does require effort but the effects of thanking someone can bring huge benefits.
People just feel better when they are thanked, or when they are thanking others. Consider how good you feel when you help someone out and they truly appreciate it.
Many, many people feel a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction when they donate to a charity and know that their contributions are going to a good cause.
Gratitude helps people feel more optimistic, have good experiences, improve their health, and build strong relationships.
The concept of gratitude has been endemic to many religions. People often thank nature, the universe, or a higher power for something good that has happened to them or for just being alive.
This appreciation leads to good feelings as well as a sense of humility. It is one of the most common behaviors found in value systems and demonstrates respect for others.
Research has shown that people who show gratitude have:
• a greater sense of well-being
• increased happiness
• lower levels of stress and depression
• better coping skills for life’s transitions
• closer, personal relationships
• a greater meaning of life
• better work and academic performance
• improved sleep and overall health
This year, before you busy yourself with social media and preparing for the holidays, take the time to express gratitude to others. Your reward will be feeling better, improved relationships, and a general sense of wellness.
We offer the following information on Gratitude and Giving Thanks!
GRATITUDE AND GIVING THANKS!
At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us…Albert Schweitzer
WHAT TO KNOW!
- Thankfulness begins when entitlement ends
- Being thankful is easy for some people but very difficult for others
- Giving thanks is the awareness and appreciation of receiving something beneficial
- Gratitude is more than thankfulness: it is a positive emotion and a deeper appreciation for something that has enriched our lives
- Gratitude helps people connect to something larger than themselves such as nature, a higher power, or a divine force
- Expressing gratitude is a selfless act; it lets others know that they are appreciated, and it also makes them feel better
- Thankful people tend to be less materialistic and appreciate experiences rather than material items
- People who are grateful tend to have a greater sense of well-being; they are happier, less stressed, less depressed, and more socially satisfied
- Also, people who routinely give thanks tend to have better coping skills, support others, be more self-accepting, and think more positively
- Research has also shown that thankful people exercise more, sleep better, have fewer headaches, have higher levels of energy, and heightened immunity
- Simple exercises such as saying thank you or writing grateful letters can develop and increase a personal sense of happiness
- Giving thanks also leads to improved business and personal relationships, increased physical activity, increased positive feelings, increased productivity
WHAT TO DO!
- Assess yourself to determine whether you are actually grateful for what you have
- Before going to sleep, give thanks for all the positive things that have happened during the day
- Keep a gratitude journal and write down what you are thankful for
- Develop a habit of writing thank you letters or emails
- Take the time to thank others for the positive impact they’ve had on your life
- Ask friends and family to tell each other what they are grateful for
- Go out of your way to thank others who have done something for you
- Find new ways to express gratitude such as keeping a gratitude bank in which you add money for each expression of gratitude, keeping a gratitude chart, etc.
- Practice mindfulness and meditation; focus on what you are thankful for
- Seek professional help if you feel depressed and are unable to find anything to feel grateful about
WE PRACTICE TELEHEALTH AND CAN HELP!
Call us at 954 755-2885 or email us at [email protected]
Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D. P.A. and Associates
5551 N University Drive, Suite 202
Coral Springs FL 33067
As always, we are interested in your thoughts. If you would like to respond to this e-Letter, email your comments to [email protected] and we will publish them next month.
Till December…
The information provided in this electronic newsletter is not a substitute for professional treatment. It is the opinions of the writers and is provided solely for educational purposes. For mental health care, seek a qualified professional.
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Copyright © 2023 by Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D. P.A. and Associates.
