Gratitude is something we think a lot about during the month of November. The obvious reason is Thanksgiving – a time when we gather with friends and family to celebrate each other and give thanks for the blessings in our lives. What you may not know is that November is National Family Caregivers Month. At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we take this as a chance to celebrate, honor, support and show appreciation for the more than 44 million family caregivers in the United States.
“Being a caregiver for a family member, friend or neighbor is an incredibly generous gift,” says Chrissy Ross, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee. “It is truly an act of love that we should honor every day, not just for one month of the year.” It’s also, she says, a role where gratitude is incredibly important – not just for us to show gratitude to caregivers, but also for caregivers to experience gratitude from within on a daily basis.
“Caregiving is a rewarding role but it’s also one that can take a great toll on the person, both physically and emotionally,” says Chrissy. “This is especially true if the caregiver is providing care for an individual with dementia. Dementia is a challenging disease because the situation can change daily and it quickly becomes a 24/7 job. Most caregivers are not professionally trained and are balancing their own lives plus the needs of their loved one. This stressful and busy schedule can lead to caregiver burnout if not balanced with self-care.”
One of the best ways to practice self-care – besides getting away to read a book, take a bath or do anything else that fills you up – is to look for positive moments and practice the art of gratitude.
“Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can help reduce stress, increase wellbeing and provide you with a higher quality of life,” says Chrissy. “While it may take some practice in order to start experiencing gratitude on a regular basis, the effort definitely pays off. Caregivers who practice gratitude report that they have a better sense of self-worth, are healthier overall and have better, deeper and more meaningful relationships with their loved ones.”
When your loved one is being difficult, or when things seem overwhelming or yet one more thing goes wrong in your day, it’s easy to be sucked into a negative spiral of all the things that you wish were different. Our thoughts can easily become a vicious cycle – once we get on a track of negative thoughts, we keep spiraling along. However, the same can be said about positive thoughts. If we flip the script and focus instead on the things we’re grateful for and what makes us happy, it’s easier to remain focused on the positive.
Don’t just take our word for it. It’s been scientifically proven that consciously redirecting your thoughts actually forms new pathways in your brain that eventually can turn the practice of gratitude into habit. Think of it like trying to start an exercise routine. At first, you have to actively slog through the change, but eventually it becomes second nature. Soon, you’ll find yourself having a sunnier outlook on the regular. Not only is this good for you and your well-being, but you’ll find that your grateful and positive outlook will affect those around you – especially the loved one you’re caring for.
Easy Ways to Practice Gratitude
It’s important to note that being grateful doesn’t mean you never have negative thoughts or you push problems to the side. It’s not about telling you to “suck it up and just be thankful.” There will be times when it’s really hard to stay positive, and that’s okay – that’s a completely normal and human reaction. Accepting those feelings is incredibly important for your health. Gratitude simply means that you take the time to realize that things are not bad 100% of the time and that there will always remain things to be thankful for. This can be incredibly comforting during those dark times.
So how do you begin to practice gratitude if it’s not something that you do regularly? Here are some tips from professionals to help you get started.
- Find something every day that fills you up and makes you feel good – no matter how small it is. If taking 10 minutes to read a book while drinking a cup of morning coffee gets you jump-started and ready to tackle the day, go for it! Or if watching a brainless sitcom to unwind before you go to bed relaxes you, make that a part of your daily routine. As you do these things, take a moment to pause and be grateful for the little moments of joy in the moment.
- Think about the people in your life who are a positive force of energy and love. Take a moment and reflect on how wonderful your life is because of him or her. Reach out to those people and let them know how much they mean, and find ways to carve out a little bit of time to interact with them. Being with people who support you, understand you and make it easier for you to remain positive are priceless gifts and excellent sources of gratitude.
- Make a conscious choice to be grateful and optimistic. While that’s easier said than done, you can always take a breath in a heated moment to decide whether you’re going to go the “glass half empty” or “glass half full” route. This may take some time to retrain your brain to focus on the positives instead of the challenges, but once you get the knack, you’ll see how much easier and less stressful your life can become (especially in those moments).
- When you find yourself worrying incessantly about the future or what “will be,” learn to pause and focus on the moment. Shift your focus to what you’re experiencing right then, right now. Think of it as a moment of mini-meditation, helping you build some Zen into your situation and allowing you to focus on the good things happening in the moment right in front of you.
- Consider keeping a gratitude journal so you can jot down things that make you happy and grateful. Having this list is a good memory-jogger that can help you be grateful when you just can’t think of anything to be grateful for. This list can be a calming influence that allows you to gain perspective when it’s needed the most.
Peace of Mind for Cape Cod Seniors and Their Families
Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Age in Place
While many memory care assisted living communities are unable to care for those whose memory loss has progressed, Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee can continue to provide a home and care no matter the stage. Our age in place philosophy helps residents avoid the stress often associated with moving to another community and offers peace of mind to their families. Perhaps the best benefit, your loved one remains in the care of those they’ve grown to know and trust.
Supportive, Engaging Services
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we offer a program of care and services that celebrates life and supports individual strengths. Our compassionate and engaging approach adapts to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, families can be sure their loved one will receive a full array of services and a high level of personalized attention.
Contact us today to learn more.