AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
SHOULD LAST BEYOND THANKSGIVING
Taking the time to acknowledge who and
suggest that those who regularly practice grateful thinking do reap emotional, physical, and interpersonal benefits. Adults who keep gratitude journals on a regular basis exercise more regularly, report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future.” HOW TO PRACTICE GRATITUDE In the above quotation from Dr. Emmons, he mentions the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. This activity is a great way to start seeing the world with a more positive, appreciative eye. As often as you can, take a few minutes to write down the acts, people, and moments that you’re grateful for. Some will be big, others small — but all will have an impact on your mood and bring a smile to your face. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire book full of good memories and warm feelings. While keeping a journal is great, there are other ways to go about cultivating and expressing gratitude. The easiest one is simply to say “Thanks” whenever you can. It may seem insignificant, but you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. When you approach the world with the perspective that every day is Thanksgiving, it’s only natural to be grateful. We all have moments when we want to curse the world, especially as we get older, and those experiences are perfectly normal. Just as frequently, though, we have moments that are worth celebrating, often with people who are worth appreciating. Which will you think about more?
what you’re grateful for is a Thanksgiving tradition far more important than turkey or football. It’s the cornerstone of the holiday and the reason we feast together in the first place. But when you really think about it, should expressing our gratitude and appreciation for others be limited to one day every year? Of course not!
WHY GRATITUDE MATTERS As we get older, it’s easy to succumb to negativity and pessimism — “Kids these days,” “The world isn’t what it used to be,” etc. The crabby grandparent and angry old neighbor are archetypal depictions of later life. But these fictions don’t have to be your reality. Recognizing and acknowledging gratitude will help you take stock of the positive aspects of your life and dwell less on unhappy thoughts.
Being grateful has also been linked to significant health benefits. According to gratitude expert and author Dr. Robert A. Emmons, “Preliminary findings
PATIENT SUCCESS STORY
Rick Ludwig’s Experience at North County
There is no greater compliment we can receive than one from a patient. Every aspect of our practice prioritizes patient care above all, so plaudits from the people we serve mean the world to us. One of our recent patients, Rick Ludwig, was kind enough to relay his experiences working with Dr. Leslie Montague. Here, in his own words, is Rick’s story. I have been coming to North County Water & Sports Therapy Center (NCWSTC) for a long time. It is my go-to place for PT after major procedures, of which I’ve had my fair share. I’ve led a very active life, including 28-plus years in the Navy, flying high-performance aircrafts, and doing a lot of sports and exercise. Needless to say, these activities have taken their toll. Plus aging — almost forgot that one! I’ve had surgeries on all of my major joints and my spine. A huge lesson I have learned is exercise prior to procedures. Another is physical therapy after. I can’t say enough about the care I have
received from Beth and her team of professionals. They know their profession and totally care about their patients. The atmosphere is always positive and helpful. I would never consider a procedure without involving NCWSTC in the equation. They afford me a much better recovery than I could ever achieve on my own. I am a very grateful and most satisfied patient. They are the best ... Thank you, NCWSTC! –Rick Ludwig. In turn, we want to say thank you to Rick for sharing such wonderful words about his experience. We’re lucky to serve an incredible community of patients, and Rick is certainly one of them. We look forward to sharing more patient stories in the coming editions of this newsletter. If you’d like your experience to be included, please let us know.
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