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This Thanksgiving, Discover How Gratitude Supports Better Health
- Lauren Ferrer
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us pause to reflect on the parts of our lives that inspire gratitude — family, health, progress, and the people who support us through change. In post-acute and skilled nursing settings, these moments of reflection take on even greater meaning. Gratitude is not only a feeling but a powerful tool that supports emotional well-being, reduces stress, and strengthens the healing process.
At The Moxie Health Group, where our work centers on helping patients regain strength, mobility, and independence, we see every day how emotional resilience plays a role in physical recovery. The science of gratitude affirms what many clinicians already know — when patients feel supported and connected, their path back to wellness becomes clearer and more sustainable.
The Healing Power of Gratitude
Researchers have studied the physical and psychological impact of gratitude for years, and the findings are remarkably consistent. Practicing gratitude can reduce stress, improve sleep, strengthen immunity, and build the emotional resilience that patients often need during recovery.
One study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that gratitude can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress by helping individuals shift attention away from fear and uncertainty and toward sources of stability and support.
This shift is especially meaningful for patients transitioning from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility. That period can be overwhelming. Recovery is rarely linear, and gratitude offers a sense of grounding. It can be a reminder that progress is possible, and challenges are temporary.
Other research shows that gratitude influences the body itself. The American Psychological Association notes that people who regularly practice gratitude often experience healthier cardiovascular responses and improved immune function.
For many of the patients we serve, these physiological benefits can make a meaningful difference.
Gratitude also shapes how we sleep and how we connect with others. The Mayo Clinic reports that gratitude can enhance sleep quality and build emotional resilience, both essential in recovery settings. And according to Harvard Health, gratitude strengthens interpersonal relationships.
In skilled nursing facilities, where patients rely on close collaboration with nurses, therapists, physicians, and caregivers, these stronger connections can translate into clearer communication and smoother care transitions.
Why Gratitude Matters in Post-Acute Care
Gratitude plays a quiet but powerful role in post-acute care. Recovery can be filled with uncertainty, but gratitude helps patients anchor themselves in what is going well, whether it’s fewer symptoms, a supportive caregiver, or the comfort of family nearby. These small acknowledgments offer motivation and make it easier to stay engaged in the healing process, a shift families often feel too as hope begins to outweigh fear.
Gratitude also strengthens the relationship between patients and care teams. When people feel appreciated and understood, communication becomes more open. Patients share symptoms sooner, ask more questions, and feel safer overall.
In an interdisciplinary model like The Moxie Health Group’s, where real-time response and collaboration are essential, this trust deepens connection and supports better outcomes across the continuum of care.
Bringing Gratitude Into Daily Recovery
Gratitude can take many forms, and none of them need to be complex. Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.
Write a thank-you note. A short message or letter sharing why someone’s kindness mattered can boost your mood and strengthen your connection with them.
Think of someone you appreciate. Even if you can’t write it down, taking a moment to mentally thank someone who helped or supported you can create a sense of gratitude.
Keep a gratitude journal. Jotting down a few things each day that brought comfort, joy, or support can help you stay grounded in what’s going well.
Set aside weekly time to reflect. Choose a moment each week to list a few specific things you're grateful for and what went right — big or small.
Pray. People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate gratitude.
Bring gratitude into meditation. During mindfulness or quiet breathing, focus on small things you appreciate: a warm breeze, a soothing sound, or anything that brings you back to the present.
Echoes of Legacy
Gratitude can also begin with the stories we carry and choose to remember. The people who shaped us, the memories that ground us, and the wisdom passed down through generations. Dr. Gustavo Ferrer’s newest book, Echoes of Legacy, invites families to honor that gratitude in a tangible way.
Through guided interview prompts and thoughtful spaces for photos, reflections, and keepsakes, the book gives readers the resources to help preserve the voices and experiences that too often go unrecorded. It turns moments of appreciation into a lasting tribute, transforming gratitude for a loved one’s life into a timeless gift future generations can hold onto.
A Thanksgiving Reflection From Moxie Health Group
This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the communities that grow inside skilled nursing facilities. The patients working toward recovery, the families offering steady encouragement, and the interdisciplinary teams who show up each day with compassion and expertise. Healing happens when these groups move together, and gratitude strengthens each step of that journey.
As we continue improving transitions of care and elevating patient outcomes across our network, we remain committed to supporting the whole person — physically, emotionally, and mentally — and gratitude is one of the tools that helps us do that with intention.
From all of us at The Moxie Health Group, we wish you a safe, healthy, and restorative Thanksgiving season. If you or a loved one is navigating post-acute care this holiday, we hope you find moments of reflection, connection, and hope along the way.
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