Noticing what you’re grateful for reduces stress
A quick and simple way to reduce caregiving stress is to keep a brief daily gratitude journal in a calendar format.
Gratitude reduces caregiver stress because it reminds you to look for the positives in life, even when things are really tough.
That simple act helps you get a different perspective and trains your brain to keep noticing positive things.
Studies show that practicing gratitude can make you happier, lower stress, protect you from depression, help you sleep better, boost your immune system, and improve your relationships.
A DIY gratitude calendar is an easy, quick, and free way to record the things you’re grateful for. And when you focus on the good in your life, you’ll feel more uplifted and less stressed.
We explain how a gratitude calendar works and how to quickly and easily create your own do-it-yourself version.
How a gratitude calendar works
Each day, write down something you’re grateful for in a calendar that’s only used for gratitude.
Since it’s a calendar, space will be limited. That’s what makes it so quick and easy — there’s no pressure to write a lot.
This is a great option if a gratitude journal sounds interesting, but seems too time- or energy-consuming.
Using this calendar to only record what you’re grateful for also means that when you’re feeling down or stressed, you’ll be able to look through it and see all the positives in your life at a glance.
That’s a sure way to boost your mood.
How to create your own DIY gratitude calendar
All it takes to make a gratitude calendar is a basic calendar and something to write with.
Use any calendar you already have, buy a calendar (browse calendars here), or print out a simple one for free.
A few free gratitude calendar templates:
- Create a current calendar with this simple free online calendar creator
- This free gratitude calendar template has a clean, simple design
- This 28-day “challenge” calendar has helpful prompts
Recommended for you:
- 5 Quick and Simple Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress Through Gratitude
- 15 Quick Tips for Managing Caregiver Stress
- Caring for the Caregiver: 6 Ways to Get Help and Improve Your Health
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
This article wasn't sponsored, but does contain some affiliate links. We never link to products or services for the sole purpose of making a commission. Recommendations are based on our honest opinions. For more information, see How We Make Money.
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About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
These tips are all very good but my sister is living 36 miles from me and on her own. she does have a carer twice a day, but forgets whenever she leaves and is instantly lonely so walks about her house all day and thinks the only way for help is to phone. This has been going on for over a year and she was coping with it until lockdown. her family have done everything they can including putting in a screen to check she is ok, but she still feels lonely. I have tried to get her to write what we speak of or watch a tv show at the same time and even ask her to look out photos to bring back old memories, but she shrugs all this off. I have to stop answering every call as I find I get angry as I am older than her but so lucky to have lots of hobbies. Why cant she write or just watch TVv? june Fyfe
Is it possible that your sister is experiencing cognitive impairment? That might be causing some of this behavior. This behavior might also be a sign that she needs more help or that she’s no longer able to live on her own.
Here’s more information about cognitive impairment:
– 8 Treatable Diseases That Mimic Dementia https://dailycaring.com/8-treatable-diseases-that-mimic-dementia/
– 7 Treatable Health Conditions with Dementia-Like Symptoms https://dailycaring.com/7-treatable-health-conditions-with-symptoms-similar-to-dementia/
– Mild Cognitive Impairment: Not Dementia, But More Than Normal Forgetfulness https://dailycaring.com/mild-cognitive-impairment-not-dementia-but-more-than-normal-forgetfulness/
– How Is Dementia Diagnosed? A Geriatric Doctor Explains https://dailycaring.com/how-is-dementia-diagnosed-a-geriatrician-explains/
Looking for a 8.5×3.5, single sheet, calendar with all 12 months. Would need small area for my client to put his name and address.
I wanna try https://freshcalendars.com/ Do you have another suggestion?
There are a variety of free calendar websites available where you can customize the options. You could also cut and paste into a document to DIY the format you’re interested in. I hope you’re able to find the right format for your client.