In the vast landscape of psychological research in healthcare, gratitude stands out as a powerful science-backed tool. Although gratitude practices can sometimes feel overwhelming or inauthentic, including it though as part of a wider toolkit is an optimal approach to support healthcare professional mental wellbeing and can go a long way in preventing nursing burnout causes.
Understanding Gratitude from a Scientific Perspective
Gratitude, fundamentally, is the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself; it is a general state of thankfulness and appreciation. Scientifically, it is linked with a plethora of mental, physical, and relational benefits. Studies have shown that regular gratitude practices can enhance our overall well-being, increase resilience, and even strengthen our immune systems.
Robert Emmons (American Psychologist and Professor) presents the findings of his studies on gratitude: improved health, increased happiness, and deeper relationships with others:
Research in healthcare settings, particularly among healthcare workers, has highlighted the positive effects of gratitude on reducing burnout and enhancing teamwork and mindfulness. A research project called The Gratitude Campaign, published in The Journal of Nursing Administration, tested implementing monthly gratitude practices at 4 hospitals and found positive correlations:
"…evidence indicates implementing gratitude practices has positive effects on burnout, mindfulness, well-being, and teamwork in the healthcare setting."
Structured interventions, such as resiliency training and mindfulness exercises that incorporate gratitude practices, have shown promising results in improving well-being and reducing stress among professionals in high-pressure environments. For example, a study done in 2022 noted the benefits of gratitude journaling:
"In a study involving healthcare practitioners, the use of gratitude journals as little as twice per week has resulted in lower reported stress levels and depressive symptoms after 1 month and were maintained at the 3-month follow-up after intervention"
How to Know if You Should Practice Gratitude
If you find yourself frequently stressed, struggling with negative thoughts, or feeling overwhelmed by your environment, incorporating gratitude into your daily routine might be beneficial. Moreover, if you are seeking to improve your relationships or increase your overall happiness, gratitude practices are a proven pathway to achieving these goals.
If you feel overwhelmed or inauthentic while doing the practice, don't worry! You can always try another practice like acceptance, letting go, meditation, or many others that you can get yourself acquainted with through tools like MindfulText.
Popular Methods of Practicing Gratitude
- Gratitude Journals: Writing down things you are grateful for can significantly boost your mental well-being. This practice helps in providing perspective, managing stress, and fostering self-reflection.
- Gratitude Lists: Simply listing daily blessings can act as a potent reminder of the good in your life, reinforcing positive emotions.
- Gratitude Letters: Writing and delivering letters expressing thanks to others can strengthen relationships and provide deep personal satisfaction.
- Apps: There are definitely hundreds, likely even thousands, of gratitude apps available. While there are many options that can help you practice, they tend to lose engagement over time.
Gratitude Practices in Healthcare
Incorporating gratitude into healthcare can not only benefit healthcare professionals but also enhance the quality of care provided to patients. Introducing light gratitude concepts, fostering a culture for sharing appreciation, and including gratitude even subtly by healthcare professionals and clinical nurse leaders into team processes can foster a more supportive and positive work environment.
A study entitled "Giving and receiving thanks: A mixed methods pilot study of a gratitude intervention for palliative patients and their carers" found significant improvements for carers in terms of psychological distress as well as positive outcomes for over 60% of the participants in the form of positive emotional, cognitive, and relational effects.
While there is a growing body of research on gratitude and other practices in healthccare related to mindfulness such as beginner's mind, awareness, and more, there is a need for further validation.