The Power of Gratitude

Abstract

Organizations should foster a culture of appreciation and gratitude, a skill that anyone can learn and from which everyone will benefit.

Occupational and environmental health nursing is more than a job. It is a passion that is kindled by caring for others, promoting and protecting the health and safety of workers, and preventing injuries and illnesses. In providing occupational health and safety programs and services, expressions of gratitude are essential as nurses cope with the challenges of the job and the unknowns of economic, political, and business forces that affect the work environment. Gratitude is also important at home as it can improve family, personal, and community relationships.

Gratitude is defined as “the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself” or “a positive emotional reaction in response to the receipt of a gift or benefit from someone” (Sansone & Sansone, 2010, p. 18). According to Emmons and Shelton (2002), gratitude is “a felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life” (p. 460). Gratitude has social, physical, and psychological benefits, and has been linked to stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety and depression, and higher levels of happiness (“Can Gratitude Make Nursing Stronger,” 2016). Individuals who are grateful sleep better, are more resilient in recovering from traumatic events, convey more compassion and kindness, and tend to take better care of themselves.

An attitude of gratitude can balance the negative effects of occupational and life stresses. By practicing gratitude, occupational and environmental health nurses can provide a calming presence to injured employees, individuals needing a nonjudgmental listening ear, workers coping with chronic diseases, and those involved in crisis or disaster events. In addition, gratitude can affect the care occupational and environmental health nurses provide to workers as well as improve the overall well-being of nurses themselves. Gratitude can enrich nurses’ management skills, enhance their networking abilities, improve their decision-making capabilities, and increase their productivity (Amin, 2013).

One way to develop gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. By writing down at least three specific things that one is grateful for each day, an individual can focus on positive things that occur. Over time, this emphasis on positive thoughts influences how situations are perceived. If daily journaling seems daunting, another option is to jot down an instance of gratitude on a piece of paper and place it in a jar or basket. Periodically, perhaps after a difficult day, just reading these notes can be a reminder of positive events and provide renewed energy.

It is important to recognize and show appreciation for others, whether a family member, coworker, manager, or stranger. Nursing leaders understand the power of praise when they show appreciation for their staff (Sherman, 2012). A simple “thank you” demonstrates appreciation and enhances self-worth. Handwritten thank you notes are a tangible way to show appreciation for and the value of staff work. Individuals may not know the positive impact of their work unless they are told. Employees who feel valued have higher job satisfaction, are willing to work longer hours, are motivated to do their best, and work toward achieving company goals. Other ways to show gratitude are to nominate a deserving colleague for Occupational Health Nursing Week or other recognitions. This is an excellent way to celebrate nurses and recognize their achievements.

Organizations should foster a culture of appreciation and gratitude. “Teams that foster cohesion with a sense of appreciation and gratitude among the team members maximize performance on a number of dimensions” (Riordan, 2013, para. 3). Gratitude is a career skill that must be cultivated. It is a skill that anyone can learn and from which everyone will benefit.