As those of us in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s nice to remember the powerful effects of showing gratitude for all of the wonderful things in our lives.
In a recent article in the New York Times, John Tierney reported that:
Cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” has been linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic partners.
The article below lists several suggestions about how to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude.” The author suggests keeping a gratitude journal – a place to write down 5 things you feel thankful for each week. What a great way to start class with your students or meetings with your colleagues. We might also suggest a leadership twist: take the time to tell 5 of your colleagues or students why you are grateful to work with them each week. Take a look at the research and think about the power of gratitude culture in your classroom or school.
