Gratitude as an Action Plan Carol Bailey Floyd Director of Programs Mental Health Recovery and WRAP

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Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons! -- Ruth Ann Schabacker

Gratitude Study Studies conducted by Michael McCullough, PhD. from the University of Miami and Robert A. Emmons, PhD. from the University of California – Davis separated subjects into three control groups with a focus on one of the following: 1. hassles 2. things for which they were grateful 3. ordinary life events

The benefits revealed from the gratitude groups were very surprising!

Benefits of Gratitude Grateful people are more: • optimistic • energetic • enthusiastic • determined • interested • joyful

More Benefits of Gratitude Grateful people: • feel stronger about handling challenges • have fewer illnesses • get more sleep • exercise more

Even More Benefits of Gratitude Grateful people: • are more likely to help other people • have less cluttered environments • are less envious • have more clear thinking

More and More Benefits! Grateful people: • have better resilience during tough times • experience less stress • are more organized • have higher immune response

The Last Four Listed Benefits Grateful people: • have closer family ties • are less materialistic • make more progress toward goals • have longer lives!

Gratitude is FREE!

Gratitude has the power to turn challenges into possibilities, problems into solutions, and losses into gains. -- Daniel T. Peralla

You may be thankful to: • The Universe • Your Higher Power • God • Yourself • Someone or something else

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. -- Melodie Beattie

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) • Wellness Toolbox • Daily Maintenance (3 parts) • Triggers and Action Plan • Early Warning Signs and Action Plan • Things Breaking Down and Action Plan

Wellness Recovery Action Plan • Crisis Plan • Post Crisis Plan

The Action Plan Aspect of WRAP • Using wellness tools for action plans • Doing positive actions in response to negative events • Diminishing or eliminating triggers and early warning signs • Gratitude as a powerful action plan

Gratitude Action Plans Help you to: • make improvements • create change • face challenges • make a difference • take your power back

Gratitude Action Plans • Counting good things – 10, 20, write • Gratitude list at night – Simple Abundance by Sara Ban Breathnach • Gratitude list in the morning • Emergency thank you therapy

Gratitude Action Plans • Thank you notes – especially unexpected • Gratitude file of received thank you notes • Gratitude List – 100 things (post) • Ask a friend what makes them grateful

Gratitude Action Plans • Focusing on what is right and not on what is wrong • Raising your awareness level with gratitude • Mindful gratitude in times of stress

Gratitude Action Plans • Gratitude ABCs for going to sleep • Showing gratitude to other people - hugs - handshakes - appreciative words • Being grateful for hope

Quotation Therapy as an Action Plan “You can’t be unhappy and grateful at the same time.” – unknown “The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don’t have.” – Woody Allen “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses.” – Alphonse Karr “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so let us all be thankful.” – Buddha

Examples of Gratitude Unconditional Gratitude Therapeutic Gratitude Transformational Gratitude

GoodListDaily.com AllAboutGratitude.com YouTube.com – Gratitude Dance! Gratitude Websites GoodListDaily.com AllAboutGratitude.com YouTube.com – Gratitude Dance!

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