Life during the COVID-19 pandemic can be stressful as children learn from home and parents help their children with schoolwork while also working from home. One of the best ways to combat this increased stress is to focus on gratitude. Research studies have shown that people who intentionally think about what they are grateful for experienced lower stress and higher levels of happiness.
We asked our staff what they are grateful for during the Safer-At-Home order. Here’s their list.
Baked treats: Sweet treats are helping to keep our spirits up
Birds: Songs, colors, and entertainment provided by these fine feathered friends
Board games: How we end the day and bring the family together
Books: Books and stories, whether read at bedtime or as a mid-day break
Breath: Little ways we can ground ourselves and stay present in each moment
Cats: Pet therapy in the form of meowing four-legged friends
Dogs: Slobbery kisses, the lovey dovey eyes, and the goofy doofus dogs in our lives
Family dance parties: It feels good to shake it off and dance like no one is watching. The sillier the better.
Family: Our loved ones — near and far — the family we are born into and our chosen family
Flowers: A bright yellow blossom, some cheerful pink blooms, even the shy purple violets peeking out from tall grass
Green grass: Spring has sprung! The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming, and the grass is getting greener!
Imagination: Creativity in problem solving and imaginative play
Letters: Messages of hope and connection
Light: Sunshine in the morning, sunsets in the evening, cozy candles, and reading lights
Music: The throwbacks, the jams, the instrumental focus playlists
Nice weather: It’s getting warmer! Winter is almost forgotten! Spring is springing!
Outdoor activities: Getting outside to play. Whether it’s to kick around a soccer ball, shooting some hoops, or tossing a frisbee back and forth.
Warm blankets and fuzzy socks: Even though the weather is warming up, we are still enjoying snuggling up when it’s chilly outside.
Tacos: Breakfast tacos, veggie tacos, fish tacos, all tacos
Technology: Texts, emails, silly GIFs, and everything in between that is keeping us connected.
We challenge you to think about what you are grateful for and write it down every day. We are in this together.
