As 2019 comes to an end and the new year begins, I want to thank all for subscribing to my blog! I’m very grateful for your loyalty and your interest!
Every new year, I’ve made a habit of reflecting on the passing year and planning for the year to come. During my reflecting period, I spend time expressing my gratitude for what I’ve been grateful for, and project my gratitude forward to the new year.
During the Christmas holiday (click here) I mentioned having an Attitude of Gratitude and how Integral it can be to our health and overall recovery. Lewis Howes, author of The School of Greatness, talks a lot about gratitude in his book - and it is a great read. I wanted to continue on why an attitude of gratitude is important, especially as we are entering a new decade - 2020!
Why is an Attitude of Gratitude important?
Every day won't be perfect, but focusing on what we are grateful for tends to wash away feelings of anger and negativity. In addition to improving mood, recent studies show that feeling and expressing gratitude leads to better physical health as well. Paul Mills, a Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, conducted studies that looked at the role of gratitude on heart health.
Among other things, he found that participants who kept a journal most days of the week, writing about 2-3 things they were grateful for (everything from appreciating their children to travel and good food), had reduced levels of inflammation and improved heart rhythm compared to people who did not write in a journal. And the journal-keepers also showed a decreased risk of heart disease after only 2 months of this new routine!
So try adopting some of the above tactics, even just one or two, in order to develop an overall grateful mindset. It takes a bit of work, but having an attitude of gratitude is one of the most impactful habits for a fulfilling and healthy life.
How do we incorporate into our lives?
He suggests you pick a few of these ideas: Wake up every day and express to yourself what you are grateful for.
Tell whomever you are with at the end of the day the 3 things you are most grateful for in that very moment.
Start a gratitude journal - Express gratitude in this journal every night by noting the things that you are grateful for, proud of, and excited about
Acknowledge yourself for what you have done and accomplished in the last day/week/month/year. Instead of comparing yourself to others, give yourself credit for the big and small things you have been doing!
Acknowledge other people and thank them for inspiring/helping/supporting you - oftentimes people wait their whole lives to be acknowledged (and yet it happens far too infrequently).
Concerning our plans for 2020, the site is growing everyday, and I’m very excited to begin collaborating and expanding the site for everyone. Upcoming in 2020, we will be introducing some new and fun contests, giveaways and introducing you to may other survivors that are thriving and helping each other across the globe! The site will be updated with an all-new “Stroke Stop” - the one spot you can go to for information we’ve found archived all over the web. The site is also going to highlight a new page for Caregivers and loved ones affected by stroke. We are continuing to build a space for the community to collaborate on hot topics affecting our survivor world. People write in daily and it's wonderful to hear from you all, click here to write in.
As always, we will continue to bring information from the best of the best! We have compiled all of your responses and messages (thank you SO MUCH for all of your time, btw) and are bringing you the answers to each one we can find. Have a wonderful holiday season! We’ll see you “next year!” Have a safe a beautiful new year everybody!
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