Gratitude
SMART Goal #2:
By the end of services, the client will be able to identify at least 3 coping strategies to address depression and anxiety.
Objectives:
- Learn what coping strategies are
- Discuss when and how to use coping strategies
Agenda: 50 minutes with a 10-minute break
- Regroup and get settled in -5 minutes
- Discuss what gratitude is- 8 minutes
- Mental health improved by gratitude- 10 minutes
- Opening up/sharing -10 minutes
- Break- 10 minutes
- Activity- 11 minutes
- Closing, questions, comments- 6 minutes
Lesson plan:
Gratitude definition: The state of being thankful or appreciative.
Gratitude has been found to be beneficially associated with social well-being, emotional well-being, and psychological well-being (Jans-Beken et al., 2020).
Often when we consider what we are grateful for, overt and profound life experiences, circumstances, and events come to mind. We may feel grateful for our upbringing, family, job, good health, and the opportunity to gain an education. While recognizing and being grateful for these experiences is important, our gratitude practice must also venture below the surface.
Ways to practice gratitude:
- Notice good things, look for them, and appreciate them.
- Savor, absorb, and really pay attention to those good things.
- Express your gratitude to yourself, write it down, or thank someone.
- Each day write down three things you are thankful for.
- Start a gratitude journal.
- Meditate
- Thank someone new every week
- Create a gratitude jar
Do you feel as if you currently practice gratitude? If you do what do you do?
Do you feel as if gratitude or being thankful overall improves your life? If so, in which ways?
Mental health improved by gratitude:
Several studies have been completed in which overall show that practicing gratitude in your everyday life can improve enhanced physical health, reduce stress, improve sleep, increase your immune system, and improve mental health.
Emotions are overall regulated when gratitude is practiced. Feeling more connected to others is also shown once an individual practices gratitude.
It is shown that individuals who count their blessings show less levels of stress and live a happier/healthy life.
Do you personally believe this is true? Do you currently practice gratitude to improve your mental health?
If you do currently practice gratitude to improve mental health go around the room and share what you do and if you feel like it works or not.
Activity:
Daily reflections: On your piece of paper write down 3-4 things you are thankful for in your life.
Once completed go around the room and share if comfortable
Is there anything anyone learned from anyone that they want to begin doing?
Closing, questions, and comments:
Have everyone go around the room and share:
- What do you feel you can take away from this session?
- Does anyone have any remaining thoughts or comments they would like to share before the session ends?
Materials: Whiteboard, dry erase marker, paper, pens
Citations:
Tiffany Sauber Millacci, P. D. (2023, February 22). What is gratitude and why is it so important?PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
Forbes Magazine. (2022, November 10). How gratitude can transform your mental health. Forbes. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/mental-health-benefits-of-gratitude/