Quick tips and resources to support your wellness journey.
Wellness Connection: Gratitude
Quick tips and resources to support your wellness journey
Fast Facts About Gratitude
Developing an “attitude of gratitude” is one of the simplest ways to improve your satisfaction with life. (Forbes.com)
Gratitude lowers levels of stress hormones, including cortisol, by 23%. (Psychology Today)
Regular gratitude journaling has been shown to result in 5%-15% increases in optimism and 25% increased sleep quality (Positive Psychology)
Showing gratitude throughout the year can have tremendous benefits on your quality of life. Gratitude not only opens the door for more and better relationships, it can improve your physical and psychological health as well. Gratitude can reduce some of our most basic, yet hurtful emotions, such as envy, resentment, frustration, and regret. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a leading researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the impact gratitude has on wellbeing. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.
Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first this mental state grows stronger with use and practice. Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis (fun for adults and kids alike): write a thank-you note, thank someone mentally, count your blessings, pray, and/or meditate. Try the 30-day gratitude challenge to integrate this healthy habit into your life and reap the benefits.
Resources to Wellness
In collaboration, Human Resources and the UO Ambassadors program highlight the following wellness resources.
Wellness Ambassadors Newsletter
The Wellness Ambassador program is an extension of the Duck Nest that brings health and wellness education to UO employees in the workplace.
The November edition includes:
Inspirational TED talks about gratitude and community.
How vulnerability and courage connect us in the workplace.
Seven ways to improve your spiritual wellness which include positive thinking and meditation.
In addition to these resources, each edition of the monthly newsletter includes insights and ideas on a variety of ways to help you enhance your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Continue your path to wellness with the following LinkedIn Learning courses that provide insights and ideas to help you manage stress and find more life balance:
The following information is for benefits-eligible employees.
The University of Oregon’s employee assistance program provider, Cascade Centers, Inc., can provide one-on-one consultation to assist you with your unique needs. Visit the Human Resources website for more information about the EAP and to access services.
Cascade Centers offers these two presentations on the benefits of gratitude:
The UO Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cascade Centers is a free service that can assist benefits-eligible employees with a wide variety of issues that may interfere with their day to day activities. This confidential service provides telephone contact and/or in–person sessions as needed to assist with completing an intake, assessment, and referral.
