Finding Your Gratitude in Caregiving

The ongoing act of providing care for our loved ones, friends, and neighbors can take a physical and emotional toll on caregivers, especially as we approach and prepare for the holiday season. Studies show that cultivating your feelings of gratitude can recharge your energy, reduce your stress, and restore your well-being. A 2024 Baylor University study found that, despite difficult circumstances, family members who are caring for a loved one are better at being able to adjust to their roles and improve their coping skills if they continually seek a feeling of gratitude. Each day often holds its own challenges, but there are several ways to find thankfulness in the care you provide.

• Focus on positive moments in your routine. Look for those optimistic occurrences and relish them.

• Surround yourself with people who you are thankful to have in your life and those who provide you with physical and emotional support.

• Practice daily gratitude by writing down something that made you smile or gave you joy, no matter how small.

• Look for the successes and celebrate how you are coping rather than the things that are not going as well.

• Live in the moment and put the thoughts and worries of what might happen aside.

• Meditation, faith, and spirituality can be an essential mechanism to create meaning, purpose, and social connections.

In no way does seeking gratitude mean you ignore the challenges and sometimes difficult days, but to purposefully seek enjoyment however and wherever you can. This intentional acknowledgement of contentment will help you regain perspective when you need it most. Give yourself the credit for the care you give and accept the recognition of thanks when given. Remember to connect with fellow care partners in your community to build a network of meaningful support. And, of course, remember to allow yourself joy in finding time to have a reprieve from caregiving as opportunities arise.

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow" – Melody Beattie