Search “gratitude” across the ANA Enterprise and you’re in for some great reading and recommendations. Gratitude, or “Vitamin G” in my nursing practice of staff well-being, is an interesting intervention. My expressions of gratitude appear well-received and welcomed. People connect to my appreciation. Coaching others to embrace the self-care and team-care practice of gratitude is heard but doesn’t appear to be heeded. There’s a strange disconnect. Perhaps it seems too simple, or too hard, or that it’s not enough?
Challenge accepted. Expressing gratitude doesn’t need to be complex. It can be quite simple and still impact the sender and the receiver. First, some highlights from across ANA that tell the story of why gratitude matters for self and for the team. Then, a super simple way to express gratitude.
First
- Find where gratitude fits into your practice. With so many ways to embrace gratitude, you may think it’s too complicated or cumbersome. Consider all of the different ways that are shared here. Maybe you want to do something formal with a card or a meditation. Maybe you want to write it out. There are many gratitude activities to review. Find what fits!
- Explore the research of appreciation. Being on the receiving end of appreciation or gratitude helps someone else. Expressing appreciation or gratitude helps you! That’s team-care and self-care in one action. Easy!
- Express gratitude with intention and receive gratitude with attention. Making mindfulness a part of our self-care has a profound impact on our care of patients and coworkers.
- Thanking out loud. Remembering who and what we’re thankful for is important to our future as nurses. It grounds us and provides a sense of security that perhaps the pandemic took away.
Second
I’ve been doing this for years, perhaps you have as well—send gratitude emojis.
Yes. It is a thing. Maybe you already use emojis, but did you realize that they have power? Maybe you have one that you use consistently, like the smiley with hearts for eyes, or the praying hands. Maybe you have one for your team—a fist bump or victory sign—that has meaning after a shared patient care experience.
Emojis are a simple click on a mobile phone, but they convey your intention to connect with another person. The other person receives your intent when they see it and confirms that connection. The circle of gratitude is complete in an activity that takes less than 5 seconds.
Gratitude matters. It is a way to express that you matter to yourself and that another person matters to you. Tis the season—well, gratitude is always in season. 😉
Amy E. Rettig, DNP, MALM, MSN, BSN, RN, ACNS-BC, PMHNP-BC, provides nursing care for both professional and non-professional caregivers. She presents, publishes and studies well-being (developing the caregiver within) from the perspectives of holism, caring relationships, and systems.
