As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, its effects on our everyday lives feel neverending.
As parents, we want to provide our children with a sense of consistency and normalcy in the middle of a time filled with uncertainty, fear and change – not an easy task to accomplish.
We are all grappling with the ever-changing rules and demands placed on us by our “new normal” life at home, school and work.
It is mentally and physically exhausting work that often has no tangible reward.
We may not be able to change this reality at the moment, but we can focus our energies on controlling what we can control and practising gratitude for the events – no matter how small – that enrich our days.
A growing number of studies have looked at the impact of gratitude on our overall health.
The results show benefits to both our physical and emotional health.
A recent study highlights the direct relationship between gratitude and happiness among young children.
Luckily, gratitude can be added to our daily routines without increasing our “to-do” and “to-learn” lists.
Teaching polite manners, such as saying “thank you”, isn’t the only way to promote gratitude in children.
Here are some tips I like to use to help build a habit of gratitude in my children:
Take a couple of minutes at bedtime to write down or talk about at least one thing – no matter how small – or one part of the day that you and your family are grateful for.
Studies have shown that gratitude improves sleep quality and decreases symptoms like unexplained aches and pains.
By focusing on the positive parts of the day, gratitude helps set us up for a positive outlook for the day to come.
Whether driving back home or enjoying a family game night, talking about the people you are grateful for in your life, and why, can go a long way.
Think about positive traits in others that make us feel grounded and loved, and give us a sense of security.
Reminding ourselves of those high-quality relationships can help us manage anxious and sad thoughts more effectively.
Creating a habit of thankful expression helps to increase self-esteem, mental strength and positive social behaviours such as helping, sharing and volunteering.
All of these are vital to strengthening our resiliency – a trait that we all need right now.
It’s important to encourage children and teens to take active steps in providing service to their communities.
Help them find causes that they are interested in, such as volunteering for a nursing home or raising money for charity.
By participating in such giving activities, they will gain a sense of purpose and develop skills that will help them succeed in life.
One way to teach your children to be more grateful is by being more grateful yourself.
Show your children your appreciation on a regular basis and they will learn to follow in your footsteps.
You can start by modelling good behaviour and practising positive discipline techniques.
Spending just a few minutes a day to practise gratitude with our families can have a positive impact on how we address the stressful situations life unexpectedly throws our way.
It is especially effective as part of an overall family wellness plan that focuses on healthy eating, sleeping, screentime habits and daily physical activity.
Regular checkups with your paediatrician are also a wonderful opportunity to further discuss gratitude and other ways to improve your physical and emotional resilience. – By Dr Datta Munshi/Tribune News Service
Dr Datta Munshi is a community paediatrician in the United States and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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