• About Us
    • FAQs
    • Interview with Dr. Allison Sibley
  • Specialized COVID-19 Services
  • Our Services
    • COVID-19 Offerings
    • Adult Therapy
    • Child Therapies
    • Teen Therapy
    • Couples Counseling and Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • Group therapy for children
    • Group therapy for teens and adolescents
  • Therapists
    • Allison Sibley, PHD, LICSW, RPT-S
    • Cristina Alba, MSW, LGSW
    • Justin Barrasso, MS, LPC, NCC
    • Danielle Birx-Raybuck, LICSW, LCSW-C
    • Alexander Chan, PhD, LMFT
    • Sarah Dougans, MSW, LICSW
    • Kristin Drouin, MSW, LCSW, LICSW, APHSW-C
    • Amanda Good, MSW, LICSW, EMDR-C
    • Jules Hartsfeld, LPC, LCAS, CCTP
    • Alexis Herschthal, MSW, LICSW
    • Sarah Jones, LICSW, LCSW-C
    • Meagan Mitchell, MSW, LICSW, MEd
    • Sarah Perrin, MSW, LGSW
    • Michelle Pittman, MSW, LICSW
    • Georgette Saad, MSW, LICSW
    • Rachel Scharf, MSW, LGSW
    • Lori Seifter, Consulting Supervisor
    • Barry Shapiro, MSW, LICSW
    • Laurel Tobias, MSW, LICSW
    • Lottie Walker, MSW, LGSW, CSE
    • Rachel Yutzy, MSS, LICSW
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Hours & Location
    • Payment & Forms
    • Assistant to the Director – Sherri Eichberg
  • Home
  • About Us »
    • FAQs »
    • Interview with Dr. Allison Sibley »
  • Specialized COVID-19 Services »
  • Our Services »
    • COVID-19 Offerings »
    • Adult Therapy »
    • Child Therapies »
    • Teen Therapy »
    • Couples Counseling and Therapy »
    • Family Therapy »
    • Group therapy for children »
    • Group therapy for teens and adolescents »
  • Therapists »
    • Allison Sibley, PHD, LICSW, RPT-S »
    • Cristina Alba, MSW, LGSW »
    • Justin Barrasso, MS, LPC, NCC »
    • Danielle Birx-Raybuck, LICSW, LCSW-C »
    • Alexander Chan, PhD, LMFT »
    • Sarah Dougans, MSW, LICSW »
    • Kristin Drouin, MSW, LCSW, LICSW, APHSW-C »
    • Amanda Good, MSW, LICSW, EMDR-C »
    • Jules Hartsfeld, LPC, LCAS, CCTP »
    • Alexis Herschthal, MSW, LICSW »
    • Sarah Jones, LICSW, LCSW-C »
    • Meagan Mitchell, MSW, LICSW, MEd »
    • Sarah Perrin, MSW, LGSW »
    • Michelle Pittman, MSW, LICSW »
    • Georgette Saad, MSW, LICSW »
    • Rachel Scharf, MSW, LGSW »
    • Lori Seifter, Consulting Supervisor »
    • Barry Shapiro, MSW, LICSW »
    • Laurel Tobias, MSW, LICSW »
    • Lottie Walker, MSW, LGSW, CSE »
    • Rachel Yutzy, MSS, LICSW »
  • Blog »
  • Contact Us »
    • Hours & Location »
    • Payment & Forms »
    • Assistant to the Director – Sherri Eichberg »
  • Home »
 
facebook

Capitol Hill office is now open!

Schedule an appointment at info@thesibleygroupdc.com
  • Recent Posts

    • You’ve heard of Post-Traumatic Stress… but what about Post-Traumatic Growth?
    • Understanding Childhood Grief in the Holidays 
    • The Parent as the Pathway to Healing
    • What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? 
    • Who is your “Best Self” and How can that Help You?
  • Archives

    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
  • Categories

    • ADHD
    • Adult Psychotherapy
    • Anxiety
    • Bethesda Psychotherapist
    • Child Counseling
    • Child therapy
    • Coping Skills
    • Couples Therapy
    • DC Psychotherapist
    • Depression
    • Divorce
    • Family Therapy
    • Mindfulness
    • Parenting
    • Self-care
    • Uncategorized
    • Washington

Gratitude in Daily Life

Posted by Kendra Handy

girl wearing white holding sunflower

A few weeks ago, in the midst of a hectic day of holiday shopping, I came across some Thanksgiving decorations on final clearance and recognized that I was definitely not thankful for the long lines and list of things to do.  But as I waited in that line, I had time to reflect on the importance of gratitude and how it might actually help with the stresses of the season.

 

Gratitude is a powerful emotion, and research shows it is helpful for our overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally.  Focusing on and expressing gratitude helps improve our relationships, increases our attention to positive thoughts and actions, and builds resilience.  As a therapist working with kids and parents in the Washington, DC area, I know we can all use those qualities at this time of year! So I started thinking about how to extend the practice of gratitude into our daily lives.  Below are 6 steps to begin practicing more gratitude:

1. Set an intention

Have you ever been in the market for a particular car, and suddenly seen it everywhere?  That’s because we tend to see the things that carry special interest for us. Start each day with the conscious decision to be on the look-out for reasons to be grateful throughout the day.

2.  Stop and notice

Our brains are wired to solve problems – so it is much more natural to stop what we’re doing to address difficulties than to pause and be thankful for things, just as they are.  Give yourself permission to pause and take note of the things that bring you joy, even in the midst of a tight deadline or a million errands.

3. Savor the moments

Research shows that you can increase the emotional impact of an experience by tuning into your senses.  Let your attention linger on the sensation of a gentle breeze on your cheek, the satisfying click of your seatbelt engaging, the warm pressure in your chest when your child says “I love you.”

4.Use visual and mental cues

You can prime your brain for gratitude by giving it small and frequent reminders.  You might decide to stop and ask “What am I grateful for right now?” each time you walk through a doorway or turn on a faucet; choose a photo of someone you’re grateful for and put it somewhere where you’ll see it often; or simply write “gratitude” on a post-it and stick it to your mirror or laptop.

5.Keep a gratitude journal

Writing things down supports learning and memory.  A written record can also be a great source of encouragement on days it’s not so easy to feel grateful.  Your “journal” doesn’t have to be a designated notebook, and you don’t have to make entries every day. For example you might add words or phrases to your calendar reflecting gratitude for aspects of the day, 2-3 times per week.

6.Express yourself

Telling other people what you’re grateful for can be powerful; and if you’re a parent, letting your child know the ways they delight you is an important way to support their developing sense of self, build your relationship, and foster their overall wellbeing.  Be on the lookout for moments you find yourself smiling about them, and tell them about it.

 

I hope these tips lead to a happier, less stressful and more memorable year.

 

Enjoy!

 

This entry was posted in Bethesda Psychotherapist, Child therapy, DC Psychotherapist, Mindfulness, Self-care, Washington. Bookmark the permalink.
← Previous Post Next Post →
  • About Us
  • Our Services
  • Hours & Location
  • Payment & Forms
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • No Surprises Act

Allison Sibley & Associates, PLLC • 5039 Connecticut Avenue NW #5 Washington DC 20008
202-237-1196 [office]

Website by MightyLittleWebShop.com. Photos by Karen Elliott Greisdorf and Amanda Good.

©️ Copyright 2023. The Sibley Group. All rights reserved.