Author: hawthornseniorliving

February 24, 2022 | Senior Living - Travel | by hawthornseniorliving

Hawthorn Virtual Travel Experience

Explore from the comfort of Your Hawthorn Senior Living Community

As temperatures drop and colder weather settles in for the winter, it can be easy to slip into a state of boredom. For seniors, it’s important to keep the winter blues at bay with an array of enjoyable events and activities. Staying engaged and socially connected is a critical component of maintaining positive health and well-being in the later years of life.

Finding ways for seniors to stay socially active is proven to improve quality of life, decrease depression and loneliness, boost mood, help prevent or slow Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of age-related cognitive decline, and otherwise contribute to better health and increased happiness.

During the winter, staying active in mind and body can be challenging. At Hawthorn Senior Living, we support our residents in a variety of ways to help combat the negative effects that arise during colder months. One way is through our Hawthorn Adventures Program. Hawthorn Adventures takes residents on new quests to experience the sights, sounds, tastes and culture of interesting places around the world through virtual vacations. Our virtual tours of the world have allowed our residents to try out new dance moves from different cultures and read and share the literary works from around the world all from the comfort of home.

Many of our residents have done extensive traveling in their lives and have been able to share their memories, expertise and photos with fellow residents. For those who have not experienced all the world has to offer, Hawthorn Adventures brings new and exotic places right into their homes. Learning and trying new things is what makes life exciting and keeps us young at heart. Our virtual travel program offers the opportunity to travel and learn new things, while enjoying the familiarity of our own surroundings.

This year, residents boarded the Hawthorn Jewel Luxury Cruise Ship and enjoyed three weeks cruising the iconic shores of the Mediterranean, virtually that is. The Hawthorn Jewel docked in Italy, Greece and Croatia, and residents experienced the food, history and culture of each destination.

All Aboard The Hawthorn Jewel

At Linwood Estates in Lawrenceville, Georgia, residents boarded The Hawthorn Jewel and experienced the Mediterranean by tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain, drank Italian sodas, attended a toga party, learned about historic art and enjoyed authentic Italian cappuccinos.

Senior couple boarded the Hawthorn Jewel

While in Greece, residents at Providence Meadows in Charlotte, North Carolina visited an Orthodox Church and enjoyed baklava.

Orthodox church table with literature

Residents at Liberty Heights in Rockwall, Texas learned fun facts about Rome, Venice and Tuscany, sampled different pastas, studied the Italian language, traveled to Mount Vesuvius, learned the benefits of olive oil and sampled Italian coffee.

Seniors learning fun facts about Rome, Venice and Tuscany

The ability to travel the world virtually is a wonderful perk of living in today’s society. Doing it in a vibrant and engaging community with interesting people like you makes new life experiences all the sweeter. At Hawthorn, we’re committed to keeping residents active, engaged and connected with a variety of activities. Contact us to learn more!

February 22, 2022 | Food - Senior Lifestyles - Senior Living | by hawthornseniorliving

The Dining Experience at Hawthorn Senior Living

Delightful Dining: Enhancing the Senior Living Experience at Hawthorn

From weddings and birthdays to holidays and anniversaries, enjoying a meal with friends and family is always a centerpiece of a great celebration. Among families, having meals together is also a great way to connect after a long day and share the ups and downs with those you love.

Of course, as we get older, this ability to stay connected and enjoy our favorite meals can become more difficult as grocery shopping, cooking and going out to meet friends and loved ones becomes more difficult. Not only can this impact emotional well-being but failing to have three nutritious meals a day can also have a negative effect on nutritional wellness over time.

Though there are many important parts of a community that make it a great option for seniors, the quality and structure of a senior living community’s dining program is likely one of the most important contributors to a great overall experience.

At Hawthorn Senior Living, residents are provided an upscale dining experience characterized by diverse dishes that showcase culinary creativity while catering to personal tastes and senior nutrition.

Our communities are inspired by the belief that dining is the centerpiece of personal wellness. It is one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed in a community. We believe the dining experience should be as meaningful as any other activity in our communities, and our approach to the dining experience, from high-quality ingredients to menu input from residents, reflects our commitment to quality.

Resident-Focused Dining

Dining at Hawthorn Senior Living is more than just eating three meals a day. It’s a full culinary experience with delicious, freshly made food and engaging company. Our culinary teams go to great lengths to offer exceptional dining options that will please the palates of all residents ranging from classic offerings and comfort food to fine dining and international fare.

Our residents have various nutritional needs when it comes to their diets. Our chefs create monthly meal plans that are balanced and reflect residents’ preferences, nutrition, food textures, allergies and physician-ordered diets. All meals are planned to meet the specific nutritional needs of residents.

Salmon and asparagus on plate

Chefs Who Care

Like all great chefs, ours enjoy talking to the residents to build relationships and gather feedback to ensure they aren’t missing the mark. And for the residents who can’t stop thinking about a certain dish – maybe a family recipe or something they tried while on vacation – the chefs will make it. The culinary team holds regular meetings for residents to provide feedback and share recipes, so those beloved dishes can be savored once again.

Hawthorn chefs are passionate about sharing their knowledge and love of food. It’s why at most of our communities, the culinary teams regularly host cooking demonstrations. One day it might be tiramisu and the next, a lesson on pastries.

Fostering Connections

Hawthorn knows that life happens around the table – new memories, new friends and new experiences. Social connection is a priority in Hawthorn communities, so we encourage mealtime to be an opportunity to socialize with neighbors and friends. You can even interact with our chefs who pour coffee at every table every afternoon. Sharing a meal with others is one of life’s greatest pleasures. In one survey, 85% of seniors say that social dining is more enjoyable and satisfying – and that the companionship is just as important as the quality of the food.

Friends eating lunch together

Since residents don’t have to worry about trips to the grocery store, meal prep and cleanup, they are free to spend time exactly how they want. Residents can even share the Hawthorn dining experience with friends and family from outside of the community, especially on special occasions around holidays or other milestones. Our chefs enjoy hosting special events with menus tailored to seasonal celebrations, such as theme nights, special luncheons or holiday events.

Experience Dining at Hawthorn

At Hawthorn Senior Living, our team of experts knows exactly what it takes to design a diet that offers great nutrition without compromising taste. Restaurant-style dining in our communities means more delicious options and many meals enjoyed with great new friends.

See for yourself and find a community near you today! Join us for a complimentary meal crafted by a Hawthorn chef and tour one of our communities. If one thing is for sure, our chefs will have you craving more!

January 25, 2022 | Health & Wellness - Senior Living | by hawthornseniorliving

Life Enrichment at Hawthorn Senior Living

Discovering the Possibilities: Life Enrichment Programs and Activities at Hawthorn Senior Living

Living an active and engaged lifestyle is important at any age. The good news is that seniors today have a plethora of opportunities to enjoy a more fulfilling lifestyle. Did you know that senior living communities provide a variety of life enrichment activities to explore? Not only do they help you find more purpose in each day, but life enrichment activities also improve quality of life. Many seniors say that participating in life enrichment activities is one of the primary reasons they decided to move to a senior living community. While these programs and activities might seem like a luxury, they really are a necessity.

What Life Enrichment Looks Like at Hawthorn

At Hawthorn Senior Living, you get to enjoy life and live well. Every day offers a variety of activities and events to choose from that promote physical fitness, lifelong learning, social connection and overall wellness.

Staying Active

An active lifestyle and staying physically fit is essential to healthy aging. Remaining active can help seniors manage chronic medical conditions; maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints; and prolong independence.

All Hawthorn communities are equipped with a fitness center, complete with daily exercise programs, like yoga, chair volleyball, cardio, weight training and more. All fitness classes are led by an experienced fitness instructor and focus on enhancing balance and coordination, improving strength, and promoting an independent lifestyle while catering to each resident’s needs.

We also promote unique ways to stay active through group activities, including bean bag baseball, Wii bowling and chair drumming.

Fostering Connections

Participating in social opportunities and feeling connected to others can reduce stress and anxiety, lower the risk of depression and lead to a longer life. Social connection can also provide a sense of belonging, which contributes to self-esteem.

One of the greatest benefits of living at a Hawthorn community is the opportunity to interact with and enjoy others. Our communities offer a wide variety of recreational activities that encourage residents to socialize and connect with one another. Whether playing a spirited game of cards, attending the weekly book club, listening to live entertainment or trying a new restaurant for lunch, the goal is to develop friendships and enjoy an active lifestyle.

Stimulate Your Mind

Performing activities that stimulate the mind can help preserve and even improve cognitive function in older adults. That is why it is important for senior living communities to offer programs that stimulate the mind. These programs can provide new opportunities for residents to create their own experiences, explore different hobbies and rediscover old interests.

Every Hawthorn community features a monthly calendar of events and activities that offers a bright spectrum of opportunities designed to inspire curiosity, encourage participation and infuse joy into every day. From testing your knowledge at trivia night to making jewelry with friends, stimulating your mind with brain games or attending a cooking class led by the community chef, there’s something for everyone.  

Intellectual and cultural activities like art projects, writing classes and discussion groups offer stimulating socialization and help you get in touch with your creative side. And, for the days where you simply want to bask in your own company, there are plenty of spaces for you to indulge in a bestseller, take a stroll around campus or lose yourself in a new hobby.

Discover a Purposeful Lifestyle at a Hawthorn Community

Every experience you have at Hawthorn Senior Living is designed to fuel a greater sense of purpose, camaraderie and meaning in each and every day. Are you interested in spending your retirement enjoying your passions and hobbies? The life enrichment activities at Hawthorn communities can help you make the most out of each day. Contact us today to see how we can help you live life purposefully. Don’t forget to find a Hawthorn community near you to get an inside look at the life enrichment activities that we have to offer.

January 25, 2022 | Senior Living | by hawthornseniorliving

Hawthorn Resident Travel Program

Exploring the US: The Hawthorn Resident Travel Program Offers Residents Unforgettable Adventures

One perk of retirement is the ability to engage in new life experiences, and traveling is a great way to see new things and support overall wellness. Retirement offers a newfound freedom to get out and see the world without the worry of seeking approval from others or taking care of a family.

But the benefits of traveling in retirement go beyond simply having more hours in the day and freedom to get out and explore. Traveling also provides a great way to indulge in new experiences, meet new people and find a new sense of self. These experiences not only bring an exciting sense of adventure to our golden years, but they also serve to improve our overall wellness. In fact, a recent study concluded that traveling in retirement can provide many mental and physical benefits that promote healthy aging, including reduced depression and stress, an improved outlook on life, and deeper social connections with other people. 

Retirement at Hawthorn Senior Living gives you the freedom to live life to the fullest. It’s about seeing new places, meeting new friends and creating experiences and moments that you’ll cherish forever. This is what our resident travel program is all about.

We strive to give you everything you need to feel happy and comfortable in your home, but we also realize there is more to life than staying in one place. If you want to get out and explore new places, our resident travel program gives you this opportunity. With more than 50 Hawthorn Senior Living communities across the U.S., you can have all the comforts of home while enjoying the pleasures of a vacation.

As a resident of a Hawthorn community, you are eligible to stay up to seven nights per visit in a comfortable guest suite at any of our communities. Your stay includes all your meals, and you’ll be able to participate in enrichment programs and activities just like you would at home – all at no additional cost.

If residents at Salmon Creek in quiet and serene Boise, Idaho feel like taking a beach vacation, they can travel to Cypress Springs in sunny and warm Bradenton, Florida.

You’ve worked hard, waited patiently and saved your entire life for retirement. Now it’s here and time to make the most of every day. For many, retirement is a time to travel. For the first time in your life, you can set your own schedule and go where you want and do what you want. And, for the residents who call a Hawthorn Senior Living community home, there’s no home maintenance to worry about while you are away.

You have so much to still experience, so enjoy life and live well at Hawthorn Senior Living through our resident travel program! Contact us to learn more. 

January 07, 2022 | Senior Living | by hawthornseniorliving

My Life Story: Learning the Story Behind the Person

Discovering the Story Behind the Person

One of the most enjoyable aspects of reaching your golden years is sharing your life story with others. At Hawthorn Senior Living, every resident has a unique story – they have lived many life chapters, all different and unique. In honor of the fascinating people who have chosen to write their next chapters at Hawthorn Senior Living, we have started a new program called “My Life Story.” 

In November, residents embarked on a new journey toward sharing their life story. During the six-week-long program, residents are given one chapter each week with inspiring prompts to spark memories, anecdotes and wisdom gained over the years — all things that make up the story of their life. At the end of the six weeks, residents will have an entire booklet filled with amazing memories and stories that can be shared with neighbors and loved ones. 

Jean, a resident at Orchard Heights in Clermont, Florida, said her experience with the My Life Story program was so much fun, and she enjoyed learning about the other residents as well as herself. “We all grew up in a different era, and a lot of us lived in rural America,” said Jean. “There are many of us who are from the farm and talked about work in the garden and cows inside homes. We were all the same – no money, hand-me-down clothes and taking care of other children.” 

“My experience brought me many laughs because I was a very mischievous child.” – Jean, Orchard Heights 

Jean also said that after going through the program, other residents will stop and ask her if she has any more childhood stories to share. 

One resident at Sterling Heights in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania said the My Life Story program helped him uncover the answer to a question he’s had his whole life. 

“I have always pondered the existence of life and my purpose for being here. I feel that participating in the My Life Story program at Sterling Heights has given me a better handle on things. I now see that serving in the Air Force, working, and raising my family is my purpose and contribution in life. I leave my accomplishments to my family for them to carry out their purpose and make their contribution to the world.” 

– Sterling Heights resident 

Staff members sitting around on couches

BETTER SENIOR LIVING 

Sharing stories with team members and fellow residents not only helps seniors to recount memories and be part of a community, but it can provide better avenues for care and more rewarding living as well. 

Sharing life stories can provide insight to residents’ life experiences, likes and dislikes, hobbies and things that make them who they are. This, in turn, allows our team members to develop more meaningful relationships with residents. Through this new program, our communities can plan more personalized activities and care for our residents. Even more so, we can uncover innovative ways to improve memory and preservation as well. 

Hawthorn Senior Living understands the value of storytelling and sharing your life story. Our communities allow seniors to connect and share their stories and personal experiences. And as your extraordinary journey continues, remember to keep adding new memories to your story. Contact us and start your next chapter at a Hawthorn Senior Living community today!

December 22, 2021 | Senior Living - Tips & Tricks | by hawthornseniorliving

Hawthorn Residents Embrace the Joy of Giving Back

Spreading Joy: Hawthorn Residents Give Back to their Community

One of the greatest gifts that becomes available to us in retirement is the ability to give more of ourselves to our favorite causes. With more free time, we can finally take up those things we put aside to do “one day.” The holidays are a time of year many people think of giving back. From food drives to toy donations, the opportunities to support one’s community are endless. At Hawthorn Senior Living, giving back is part of our philosophy, and our residents and team members make it their mission to make a difference.

Research shows how important volunteering and giving back is for older adults’ mental and physical wellness. Living purposeful days gives people a sense of attainment at every age. Those feelings of connecting and giving back are linked to longer, healthier lives.

Visit any Hawthorn community and you will find residents participating in projects that benefit fellow residents, as well as their local cities and towns. Residents also volunteer for charitable organizations, organize community events, coordinate fundraising efforts and much more.

Hawthorn Residents Give Back All Year Long

As we venture on a new year, here’s a look back at all the ways Hawthorn residents have shared their time helping others.

Fighting to end breast cancer

In October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, residents, family and friends at Linwood Estates in Lawrenceville, Georgia made afghans, which were put up for auction at the community. Every dollar made was donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help end breast cancer. More than $900 was donated through their efforts.

Senior woman holding up a finger in the air

Food drive to help feed the hungry

In November, Ashwood Meadows in Johns Creek, Georgia held a canned food drive to help feed the hungry in the Atlanta Metro area. Residents and team members decided the canned food drive donations just weren’t enough, so they volunteered for three and half hours at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The group sorted through 12 barrels of food, making sure they weren’t outdated, dented, mashed up, etc. In a short amount of time, the group sorted through four pallets and 6,556 pounds of food, which equated to 5,463 meals!

Food drive to feed the hungry

Operation Christmas Child

Residents at Orchard Heights in Clermont, Florida love to make a difference outside their four walls, and this holiday season was no different. Several of the residents, Bernice and Jackie to name a couple, encouraged the community to take part in this year’s Operation Christmas Child. The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts—filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world.

Thirty residents came together and set a goal of 50 boxes and exceeded that number! 62 boxes filled with toys, games and lots of love were made and donated to children around the world.

Operations Christmas child

December Give Back Contest

Hawthorn’s December Give Back Contest encourages all Hawthorn communities to share how their community gave back during the holiday season. Communities posted to Facebook their efforts and how they made a difference within their community. Here are just a few examples of how Hawthorn communities gave back. 

  • At Liberty Heights in Rockwall, Texas, residents and team members showed their appreciation to their local firefighters with a wreath for their firehouse. The culinary team at the community even made a delicious fajita dinner for all at the firehouse to enjoy!
  • One resident at Summit Glen in Colorado Springs, Colorado is always staying busy helping others. Betty, aka Mrs. Claus, is a former nurse and a great community ambassador. She enjoys making masks for residents and families, is the leader of The Cooking Club, and is always volunteering and promoting fun things for all at Summit Glen. Betty is known for her banana bread that she is always making in the resident kitchen, and at Christmas, she makes mini loaves for every resident and team member.
  • Residents at Camden Springs in Elk Grove, California have been referred to as “elves” during the holiday season. They worked hard in their workshop making stockings for the men and women at their local fire station.
Fireman in front of fire truck
Summit Glen in Colorado Springs former nurses dressing up as Mrs. Claus

Get Involved in a Hawthorn Community Near You!

Whether you choose to give in big or small ways, it’s all vitally important to your overall wellness. The possibilities are endless to make a lasting impact and touch lives in ways you may never even know.

Several seniors posing for a picture with their hands up and smiling

November 26, 2021 | Senior Living - Tips & Tricks | by hawthornseniorliving

Senior Holiday Gift Guide: 5 Gifts The Seniors In Your Life Will Love

Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Seniors: 5 Presents They’ll Adore this Holiday Season

With the holidays around the corner you’re most likely scrambling to check people off your gift shopping list. And if you have a senior on your list, you may be struggling to find an item they’ll actually use. Don’t worry, we know seniors and we’ve got a list of items we think any older adult would love to receive and, better yet, love to use. 

Ember Temperature Control Mug 

For the senior in your life who loves spending some time enjoying a cup of tea, coffee or cocoa but prefers it piping hot rather than room temperature. The Ember Temperature Control Mug can keep drinks hot for almost two hours when fully charged and comes with a convenient charging coaster to help keep it warm for longer. 

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Acupressure Foot Massage Slippers 

It might sound silly, but it’s the little things that matter when you reach a certain age. Besides, who couldn’t use a little foot massage? These slippers and ones like them help improve nerve sensitivity, blood flow and circulation and can help decrease general tension–all in a convenient slipper package. 

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Weighted Heated Blanket 

Talk about double duty! This is the perfect gift to keep warm but also help combat anxiety and loneliness. Weighted blankets have become popular for their ability to alleviate anxiety, decrease insomnia and can even help reduce symptoms of restless leg syndrome. With the added benefit of heat, it makes for the perfect gift that any older adult would love to use all winter long. 

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Custom Recipe Cutting Board

For the grandmother or grandfather on your list that was famous for their apple pie or was the one you called when you needed a soup to make you feel better, this gift is perfect. There are a variety of artisans that can create a custom cutting board that features your favorite recipe from your loved one. Not only can it be used for cooking and serving, but it makes for a great decorative memento to remind them how much you love and appreciate them. 

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Facebook Portal Or Other Video Calling Device

Keeping in touch with loved ones can be invaluable for many older adults. And what better way to stay in touch than over a video call. Devices like Facebook’s Portal allow for easy, seamless video calls. The device can be set up somewhere convenient for your loved one and are touchscreen to make it an easy, hassle-free way to stay connected. 

November 19, 2021 | Health & Wellness | by hawthornseniorliving

Beat The Cold And The Ailments It Brings This Winter

Stay Healthy This Winter: Tips To Bea the Cold and Ailments

Winter can be a season full of cool, crisp afternoons, hot cocoa and snow-filled strolls. However, winter brings its own set of ailments and injuries. Between icy pathways, stiff joints and an increase in cold and flu cases, winter is a time that everyone, but particularly elderly adults need to take precautions to remain safe and healthy. 

Avoid The Winter Blues 

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as the “winter blues”, is the seasonal depression that typically accompanies the winter season. Less daylight, less time outdoors, cooler weather combined with the stress of the holidays can lead many to suffer from feeling more depressed. To avoid this, make sure that you are doing activities that will help combat these feelings. Keep curtains and blinds open during the daylight hours to take advantage of the sunlight. In addition, getting outdoors as much as possible can also help. 

And as always, staying connected to activities and people that bring you joy can help ward off any feelings of sadness that accompany the winter. 

Be Safe Outdoors 

While getting outside is equally important in the winter, safety should remain a high priority. Ensure you are wearing proper clothing at all times–even if the sun is out, warm clothing like coats, scarves, mittens and socks are a must. In addition, make sure your footwear is appropriate for wet weather and even icy conditions. This will keep your feet warm and help avoid falls and fall-related injuries. 

Relieve Stiff Joints

With the cooler weather comes stiff joints and discomfort. A few simple ways to help relieve your stiff or uncomfortable joints is to maintain some level of fitness year-round, particularly with low-impact exercises (i.e. water aerobics, etc.). If you do suffer from discomfort, soaking in a warm bath can help soothe them. In addition, some have even found that spicy foods can help relieve the discomfort in joints. 

Keep An Eye On Your Health

The cooler weather can lead to a variety of different health issues. For one, heart attacks and other heart ailments are more common in the winter as the cooler weather puts more strain on the heart and can increase blood pressure. Cold and flu viruses often run rampant in the cooler months so load up on vitamins and nutrients and consult with your physician about preventative measures like a flu shot. 

November 12, 2021 | Health & Medicine - Health & Wellness | by hawthornseniorliving

What You Need To Know About Managing And Living With Diabetes

Living with Diabetes: Essential Information and Management Strategies

Diabetes, particularly Type 2, affects many older adults. Here’s what you need to know about diabetes and how to delay its onset as you age. 

What is Diabetes? 

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body cannot properly produce the insulin needed to process glucose and get it into your body’s cells. If you have diabetes, it may mean that your body does not produce enough insulin, may not use insulin properly, or both. 

Type 1:

Typically diagnosed as a child or young adult, Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body does not produce insulin and is a lifelong condition. 

Type 2:

Typically diagnosed in middle age or as an older adult, Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or use insulin well. The chances of getting diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes increases if you are overweight, live a sedentary lifestyle or your family has a history of type 2 diabetes. 

Diabetes affects many parts of your body and diligent management is necessary to avoid health issues like heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, eye illnesses and nerve damage which can ultimately lead to amputation. In addition, research has shown that those living with diabetes are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers. 

Ways To Test for Diabetes 

Doctors use a variety of techniques and tests for diagnosing diabetes. Discuss the below testing options with your doctor: 

Random plasma glucose test

A1C test

Fasting plasma glucose test 

Oral glucose tolerance test 

How To Manage Type 2 Diabetes 

Track your glucose levels:

Extreme high or low glucose levels can be harmful to your health. Work with your physicians to learn how to track your glucose levels. 

Make healthy choices:

All the foods we eat turn into glucose so it’s important to work with medical professionals to determine which foods to eat or avoid as well as how much to eat in general. In addition, losing weight may be part of your diabetes management plan. 

Increase your activity:

Getting active is always a good thing. Walking and other forms of exercise can be helpful in improving your glucose levels. 

Be diligent with your medications:

Always take medications as they are prescribed and make note of any side effects that you may need to discuss with your doctor. 

Stop smoking:

Smoking raises your risk for diseases like heart attack and stroke which diabetics are at particularly high risk for. 

November 05, 2021 | Tips & Tricks | by hawthornseniorliving

Tis The Season To Give Thanks

Graditude in the Air: Celebrating the Season of Thanks

It’s that time of year when thankfulness and gratitude are top of mind. But what is gratitude and why is it so important? Read on to see why and learn ways of expressing gratitude each day.

What is Gratitude? 

Gratitude is a process of affirming good things that have happened to us or that we’ve received. It can also involve acknowledging the value that others add to our lives. 

Why Is Expressing Gratitude Important? 

Practicing expressing gratitude is important for a multitude of reasons. For one, it helps spread positive feelings. When you acknowledge things to be thankful for, you focus on the positive aspects of your life rather than the negative. This allows you to bring a more positive outlook to all your interactions which helps spread positivity. 

Expressing gratitude has been linked to improved health, strength when dealing with adversity, decreased stress and can even help you build stronger relationships with those around you. It has also been linked to deeper, higher-quality sleep. 

Ways To Express Gratitude

  • Try keeping a gratitude journal where you write down items you are thankful for each day. Keep the journal on your bedside table to remind yourself to complete each night before bed. This allows you to fall asleep in a positive mindset. Then in the morning, the sight of your gratitude journal will help you start your day thinking about thankfulness as well. 
  • Express gratitude for more than just things. Practice gratitude for people in your life as well. Maybe you have a good friend who never fails to check in on you. Perhaps you have a special connection with a particular caregiver. Or maybe you can express gratitude for a capability like being able to walk or engage in conversation with your friends and family. These little things all add to your quality of life and it’s important to acknowledge them. 
  • Give your gratitude a voice. Call a loved one or send them a card. Receiving gratitude from someone can change a person’s whole mindset so why keep all those positive feelings to yourself?

If the last year or so has taught us anything, it’s to be thankful for what we have. Incorporating some of these gratitude techniques into your daily routine can help you focus on the positive all year round.