The role of a care manager is\u00a0varied. Often, I\u00a0operate\u00a0as a professional problem-solver.\u00a0Some days I feel more like a house manager. On\u00a0my best days, I am a support person. But there are also days I feel like a one-woman complaint department; a bottomless repository for a client\u2019s negative thoughts and feelings.\u00a0Those days are more frequent than I would like, especially since I tend to be an optimist by nature.\u00a0\u00a0Several years\u00a0ago\u00a0I decided to direct my clients\u2019 negativity in more positive directions\u00a0and began recommending keeping a gratitude journal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Journaling has long been used as a tool to encourage individuals to view and work through feelings by writing or even drawing about them. While this can be effective for some, it can also be an exercise in frustration if not guided and analyzed in some meaningful way. A gratitude journal, on the other hand, is a simple and straightforward way to encourage positive thoughts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The directives I use with clients is to spend a few minutes at the end of each day listing the things that they were grateful for that day. I often have them start with a list of three things and guide them through the process if they are having a hard time on their own. The list may include something as simple as a cold glass of water, a phone call from a friend, or getting outside to feel the sun on their face. Some clients start slowly but eventually are able to write exhaustive lists that include both simple pleasures and more complex events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although it may seem like a simplistic way to change the direction of someone\u2019s thoughts, research has shown that gratitude can affect us mentally and physically. An article from envivehealthcare.com lists seven health benefits of gratitude. These include lower blood pressure, lower risk of depression, better sleep, reduced stress, increased energy, improved self-care, and improved mental strength. Other articles listed benefits of gratitude as improved productivity, decreased anxiety, a more positive general outlook, and improved self-esteem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although some articles did list the pitfalls of gratitude journal, namely avoiding dealing with the feelings associated with loss or conflicts, the literature touting the positive aspects far outweighs the negative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the month of November when we celebrate Thanksgiving as one day to focus on gratitude, why not try to make gratitude a regular practice and see if it makes a difference in our outlook of the world and our circumstances? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just my two cents, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Penny <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The role of a care manager is\u00a0varied. Often, I\u00a0operate\u00a0as a professional problem-solver.\u00a0Some days I feel more like a house manager. On\u00a0my best days, I am a support person. But there are also days I feel like a one-woman complaint department; a bottomless repository for a client\u2019s negative thoughts and feelings.\u00a0Those days are more frequent than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[75,62,32,72,73],"class_list":{"0":"post-324","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-other","7":"tag-care-manager","8":"tag-healthy-aging","9":"tag-independent-care-manager","10":"tag-senior-citizens","11":"tag-senior-health","12":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n