Director's Corner
It seems like fall arrived just yesterday, but before we know it, we’ll be heading into those colder months that cause us to reflect on the people and opportunities bringing warmth to our lives. Gathering with family and friends naturally causes us to express and experience a sense of gratitude, and there’s no shortage of that to go around in the Frederick Health Hospice community. Every day, I try to be intentional in remembering how special it is to serve our unique patients, alongside our exceptional staff, supported and guided by both our donors and
Board members.
Being in medicine and clinical care, we like to focus our attention on evidence-based practices, and it may surprise you to learn that there’s a growing body of research behind gratitude for wellness. The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California Berkeley, in fact, goes so far as to say that gratitude is the “social glue” binding together relationships. Gratitude practices work by helping people to notice the good things they enjoy, and also to acknowledge that often those good things are a result of help from others. It reminds us of how social and communal we are, and that none of us can afford to operate alone.
Written gratitude practices have been proven in experiments to contribute to and boost even long-term mental health – up to six months after the gratitude writing practice has ended. Other studies have found that people with more naturally “grateful” tendencies tend to report less common health problems such as colds and body aches.
Gratitude – an overall focus on the positive and encouraging rather than the negative – can increase the influence of the parasympathetic (calming) nervous system, reduce stress, and promote a restful state. It’s no wonder that gratitude is correlated with lower blood pressure and better heart health.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you as a friend of Frederick Health Hospice and to let you know that we couldn’t serve our community without you. Our patients receive the highest quality care because you care – and because you value their experiences at end-of-life. I wish you a happy holiday season, and I hope your lives are full of gratitude, as well.
