Introducing a practice of gratitude can boost employees' mental health

In America, one of our most cherished holidays is dedicated to giving thanks. The first settlers of this nation understood that no matter how difficult their lives were, they needed to reflect on the good things in their lives. Since then, we have learned that gratitude is much more than a fuzzy feeling. An attitude of gratitude is good for your body, mind and spirit.

What is gratitude?

Gratitude is defined as a recognition of the positive and meaningful things in our lives. It's the opposite of negative feelings like jealousy, bitterness and regret. It has a positive effect on our mood, mental health and physical health.

Emotional benefits

Being thankful helps us shake off a negative mindset and enhances our overall emotional well-being by:

• Increasing happiness.
• Reducing depression.
• Lowering anxiety and stress.
• Promoting a sense of peace.

Mental health benefits

An attitude of gratitude helps boost our mental health by:

• Decreasing loneliness and isolation.
• Helping us feel more connected to the world around us.
• Motivating us to help others.

Physical benefits

Studies show that counting our blessings is good medicine. When our mental and emotional state comes into better balance, we realize significant physical benefits, including:

• Better quality of sleep.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Stronger immune system.
• Reduced pain.
• Reduced inflammation.
• Better heart health.

An attitude of gratitude is good for business

As a caring employer, you know it's important to have a happy, healthy workforce. You may be investing in surveys, programs and activities focused on measuring and improving employee morale. If so, it's a wise spend. Good morale pays big dividends in the workplace by boosting productivity, work quality, and employee retention, and reducing absenteeism and health claims.

• Put up a bulletin board where employees can post notes expressing gratitude and share special blessings in their lives.
• Host a lunch and learn session during which employees learn about starting a gratitude journal. Give each attendee a blank notebook and encourage them to write at least one entry every day, summarizing something positive about their lives. It can be as basic as noting you slept in a clean, warm bed and have good food to eat.
• Provide opportunities to volunteer or raise money for charity. Motivate your employees by offering a half-day of paid time off, a longer lunch hour or a dress-down Friday to those who participate. Add to the fun by starting a friendly contest between departments to see who can log the most volunteer hours or raise the most money.
• Plan a team meal. Encourage attendees to sign up to bring a dish to share. During the meal, ask everyone to list three things for which they are grateful.
• Organize a game of gratitude tag. This can be played through email, paper notes or face to face. Employees take turns thanking their colleagues for their help on a project or a kind deed. Then the team member who was thanked is "it," and thanks another employee. The game is played until everyone on the team has been thanked at least once. Keep track of the thank-yous so you know when everyone has been included.
• Sponsor a lunchtime painting session. Give each painter a flat rock or another object that is small enough to keep on their desk or carry in their pocket. Ask them to paint something on the object that will remind them to be grateful. For example, it can be something that symbolizes their family or home.

Allstate Benefits can help

Occasionally, an employee may need more than a dose of gratitude to help boost their mental and emotional health. Virtual health care and virtual counseling are included with Secure Choice fully insured plans and Core Value reference-based pricing plans, and it's available as an add-on with other Allstate Benefits Self-Funded Program plan designs.

• Recuro Health urgent care offers access to U.S. board-certified doctors and medical providers that are available 24/7 to diagnose, treat and prescribe medication (when medically necessary) for many minor illnesses and injuries such as colds, flu, sore throats or allergies, via phone or online video visits.
• Recuro Health counseling offers licensed therapists that can help with a wide range of mental and emotional health needs for adults and children ages 10 and older. Members receive ongoing support, on their schedule, from the comfort and privacy of their own home via phone or online video visits in as little as 48 hours.

Contact a Group Health sales executive to learn more about how Allstate Benefits can help your company and your employees.

Related Articles:

Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace

Overcoming Stress in the Workplace and Beyond

3 Ways to Promote Employee Mental Health