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Sometimes we need to show how much we appreciate someone after the wheels start rolling to another destination.
Sharing gratitude has science‑backed benefits – especially if we practice it every day.
Regular practice has been proven to improve mental health by lowering stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. And if you reflect on the things you are grateful for at the end of the day, it can help you fall asleep faster and have better overall sleep quality.
Personally, I have experienced a quick change in my attitude by taking 10 seconds to think of 3 things I am grateful for. It’s impossible to feel negative after that.
Before we hit the road, I would personally show my gratitude by taking someone to lunch, sharing a favorite book, or getting a little something from Main Street. But now I am not in one spot long enough to do that.
This past year, I have been experimenting with some alternatives. Here are three apps I have found that work great and offer significant results.
Sharing Gratitude with EZCater.com
We are independent contractors for a company in Texas. We only see the team once a year, but they support us daily. So, I wanted to show some appreciation during the Christmas season. But I did not want to send gifts because we have adopted the “experience over stuff” mindset.
I found this app, EZCater.com, that lists dozens of restaurants in the area that cater and deliver. They delivered on time, set up the buffet for ten people, and everyone loved it! I was alerted by text every step of the process.
A few days before, I sent an invitation I made in Canva, so the team knew not to bring lunch that day.
I plan to do this a couple more times throughout the year to show them how much I appreciate all they do for us. Who doesn’t love a free lunch?
This would also work for sending something special to a family gathering that you cannot attend. Maybe a desert buffet or snacks for the big game.
Sharing Gratitude with SendOutCards.com
Getting a physical card in the mail is unexpected these days. Maybe it’s because of the hassle of paying $7 for a greeting card, standing in line to get stamps, and then finding the mailbox to mail it.
Sure, you can have a box of note cards tucked away in a cubby, but you still need to do the rest. I don’t even know how much a stamp costs these days.
Send Our Cards is not a digital card; you create your card digitally. You can choose one of their hundreds of templates or create your own. I love adding personal images that tell a story.
For work, we have sent thank-you cards with a picture of their business on the cover. And in some instances, pictures of us at their business (for example, a restaurant). They love it and usually put it on their desk or up on a bulletin board.
The program lets you add as many images as will fit, so when you send them to family and friends, they become keepsakes and end up on the fridge.
I hope to capture some images at this year’s company meeting and use those for cards throughout the year.
Sharing Gratitude with Instacart.com and DoorDash.com
You are probably familiar with these services and others like them. These are the ones I usually go to and will be using soon.
While EZCater is excellent for groups of 6 or more, sometimes I want to send something small to someone.
For example, I have an older brother who has everything he needs. In the past, we could share restaurant gift cards or movie tickets, but he is now a caretaker and cannot do many outings.
For his birthday, I used Instacart to send him a cake and a six-pack of beer (for the game).
When I start feeling lonely, I can get on DoorDash and order lunch for my daughter, and we can get on Zoom and have lunch together.
Here is a challenge for the new year
- Spend a minute at the end of your day and list three things you are grateful for. It can be as simple as having air to breathe and food on the table.
- At least once a week, show someone how much you appreciate them.
- At least once a month, reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
Here’s to a new year of improved mental health and happiness. 🥂
How do you show gratitude?
