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By Euronews with AP
Published on
ADVERTISEMENTThe first thing Alison C Jones does when she wakes up is to name three things she’s grateful for. It can be as simple as the breeze from a fan or as meaningful as the way a friend showed up for her emotionally.
Jones, an organisational development consultant, said the daily practice has helped her through hardships and the anxiety and vulnerability of starting her own business as a single mom.
«When you practice gratitude, you train your brain to always look for the positive in anything. It just completely shifts everything you’re going through,» she said.
«You start to see the lessons in the pain. You start to see the beauty in the very difficult times because you realise, ‘Hey, I’m growing stronger'».
Practicing and encouraging gratitude can be a simple way to boost morale at a time when layoffs and economic uncertainty are causing stress and anxiety.
Some employers have found that workers who receive expressions of gratitude show more engagement and willingness to help others. Other proponents say expressing and receiving appreciation can help reduce stress, as well as improve a person’s mood and outlook.
But despite its benefits, promoting gratefulness is often overlooked as a valuable way to spend time and resources in the workplace.
We asked experts in organisational change for ways to incorporate more gratitude into the workday. Here’s what they said.
Start small
If you’re new to practicing gratitude, you can start at home with a routine such as Jones’ custom of expressing gratitude before getting out of bed.
She made her gratitude practice easy so it would become a sustainable habit. Her one rule is avoiding repetition and stretching her mind to find new things to be grateful for each day.
Jones also recommends finding a “gratitude buddy” to share with. A buddy may be a friend from work or your social circles, and ideas can be exchanged in person, by text or email, or during a phone call. Many people find it helpful to list what they’re grateful for in a journal.
Cultivating gratitude in the workplace
At work, a team leader can begin a staff meeting by expressing gratitude for what went well in the last week, suggested Peter Bonanno, a consultant who helps companies design mindfulness-based programmes.
As humans, we often have a bias toward negativity, but gratitude «just does an enormous amount to shift people’s mindsets and the way they engage with each other,» Bonanno said.
Experts shared other ideas for employers, for example having managers give handwritten notes of thanks, creating gift boxes to celebrate milestones like buying a home or adopting a child, or donating products to thank nurses, doctors, police officers, firefighters, and other workers who serve their communities.
The impact of showing gratitude
«Showing appreciation doesn’t really cost anything, and shouldn’t be that difficult of a thing, and yet it’s rarer than it should be,» said Jason Lalak of Frontline Builders, a non-profit that connects donors of snacks, drinks, and personal care items with recipients.
Registered nurse Denise Wittsell remembers how quiet the hospital where she works became during the pandemic. The hallways of Denver Health, typically busy with families and guests, were suddenly empty as visits from outsiders were curtailed and patients battled illnesses alone.
Once in a while, someone from the community would deliver gifts of gratitude: tasty snacks or handmade cards from schoolchildren.
«Those spontaneous recognitions were really sweet,» Wittsell said. «It just felt really kind, and it felt like there was a lot of wrapping around us, a very supportive feeling».
Work for change
While practicing gratitude may make for a more pleasant on-the-job environment, it’s not a replacement for better working conditions.
It’s good to be grateful to have a job that pays the bills. It’s also important to ask for what’s fair.
«Being grateful absolutely doesn’t mean that we accept anything subpar or inappropriate,» Jones said, adding that people should advocate for basic needs such as meal breaks.
«It’s important not to confuse gratitude with being passive».
