Attitude of Gratitude: Gratefulness for “what is” is one of the most powerful tools for creating what is not yet there. You value, you give attention to, you honor whatever is before you at the moment. Gratitude recognizes how the positive things in our lives – such successes in our recovery process or your personal or professional life – are often influenced by multiple forces, such as the efforts of other people.
Have you ever played Tetris?
Tetris is a puzzle game where the player has to make different block shapes fit within a small space. Like any video game, if we do this day after day, our brains know what to expect, we anticipate, and train our brains to respond faster. For example with PAC man, you could judge how long the men would blink in your efforts to earn extra points, or how each screen map was progressively harder and how you could memorize the next map. Research has shown it only takes 5 days to train the brain to adapt to a new behavior, this is called the Tetris Effect.
The Tetris Effect can be highly beneficial in practicing gratitude. Recent studies have revealed the power of gratitude and what it can do for our brain. When we express gratitude or receive gratitude, our brain releases powerful chemicals including dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that are responsible for our feelings and emotions, moral judgments and for simply helping us to feel good.
How can we train our brain to use the Tetris Effect with gratitude?
Shawn Achor, author of the “Happiness Advantage” notes that when we are happy, and think positive thoughts, we smile, and that smile spreads to others, known as the “Ripple effect”.
So, by searching for the positives, in a sense through rose-colored glasses, we eventually improve our attitude towards ourself and others. In reality, we can’t ignore problems, however, we need to look for opportunities to improve and to see the positives in finding a successful solution. The consistency of gratitude that we need to train our brains means looking for the positive first, rather than searching out the negatives. Businesses all over are recognizing how practicing gratitude in the workplace can improve the work environment, and they are embracing the efforts to practice gratitude and cultivate a culture of gratitude. By cultivating gratitude among employees, such as physical therapists, the gratitude carries over into the treatment of patients.
Thanksgiving isn’t the only time to be grateful, developing a culture or community of gratitude can certainly improve our mood and make us happy, rippling through our days and creating a positive environment for healing. Receiving gratitude can also spark the same physiological changes. Studies link the practice of gratitude to improved recovery, fewer sick days, improved productivity, less burnout, improved interactions and improved satisfaction.
The Spooner team is incredibly thankful for every patient we have an opportunity to treat and interact with through our personal and professional journeys.
Rather than the glass half empty, how about being refillable?
How can we reap the benefits of practicing gratitude and improving our mindset as we experience challenges or success through physical therapy?
- Notice the small things first. It’s easy to get caught up in the big things that surround an injury, but small things are important. What small things have you accomplished that are really big successes in your therapy journey?
- Every week, compliment a friend or perhaps another patient at therapy when you see them achieving their goals, or working hard. This shows you are routing for them and creates a community of healing within the clinic.
- Write a simple thank you note to someone who has helped you along the way.
- Make a gratitude board, an appreciation station, or a thank you jar to thank people you care about.
- If you are feeling self-conscious about making public affirmations, simply right them down in your own journal. You can reap the same rewards to improve your own confidence and start seeing things more positively.
- Thank the person next to you every day before you go, just because.
- If you make a mistake, take time to reflect and think “what did I learn from this experience”.
Change ordinary days into spectacular days where you have fun, improve the energy that surrounds you, and move better.
We are here to help!
If you’re interested in learning more, or making an appointment with a physical therapist or occupational therapist, please contact the Spooner team today. We have convenient locations throughout the Valley and are here to help you in your recovery journey.