WEEK 7- Attitude of Gratitude

Teachers to read and facilitate the following:

Equipment Required
Pen and Paper

PERMAH Element
Positive Emotions

 

Rationale

Studies suggest that when we are grateful we can be more optimistic, successful and healthier.  Gratitude is regarded by some researchers as a “mega strategy for happiness” (Kern & McQuaid, 2017). Gratitude has two parts. First, an affirmation of goodness- we notice and appreciate that there are good things in our lives and in the world. Second, discovering that the goodness comes from outside ourselves- we acknowledge that others have helped and supported us in big or small ways.  One of the best ways to cultivate more gratitude is to intentionally notice and appreciate what is working well in our lives.

 

Description of Personal Wellbeing Practice:  What Went Well

  1. Think about 3 things that went well in the past week. They can be small, but should be things for which you feel grateful. It might have been a yummy meal, time spent doing something you love, playing a game, having a joke with a friend, something you observed in nature.

  2. Write down the 3 things that went well.

  3. Now, beside each thing that went well, write down what made these things possible.  eg having a joke with my friend- my good friend and I have a similar sense of humour. eg yummy meal- because my mum decided to cook my favourite pasta dish for me last night.



Main message:


Expressing gratitude has been proven to help strengthen relationships, improve our physical health and create more positive emotions (Emmons, 2010).


 

UPP’s Personal Wellbeing Practices

A Personal Wellbeing Practice (PWP) is an evidenced-based positive psychology intervention, applied in school communities or other educational settings. At UPP, we have tried to make these PWP’s simple, concise and relevant for students and their teachers. The six elements for the Personal Wellbeing Practices are: Positive emotion (P); Engagement (E); Relationships (R); Meaning (M); Accomplishment (A); and, Health (H).


We hope that these evidence-based tools of positive psychology will enhance help people to thrive and live their best life, both within and beyond the school gates.  

For more activities like this (and much more), check out THRIVE Online Lesson Modules for Pastoral Care and Wellbeing.

Unleashing Personal Potential