Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence & Thinking™
Welcome to the HABIT page for people living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and program participants. The HABIT Program is for individuals with MCI and their loved ones to learn the best strategies for adapting, coping, and living their best lives with MCI.
Follow the HABIT page to receive updates and information about adjusting to MCI and combating dementia. Our goal is to connect you with others and provide you with information and support.
Would having Thanksgiving every day improve our health? Yes. But this doesn’t mean heaping our plates full of turkey, gravy, stuffing and pie daily. It means being grateful every day.
One of the special things about Thanksgiving is expressing our gratitude. The holiday reminds us to pause, reflect and see the blessings in our lives.
Can we be grateful every day even when we feel overwhelmed or when upsetting events occur? Yes. That’s when you need an extra dose of gratitude that can give you a new perspective.
Gratitude is an attitude – a sense of appreciation for the gifts in our life. Research shows that practicing gratitude can make you healthier and happier. It improves sleep, boosts immunity and improves relationships. Focusing on blessings can help ward off depression and build resilience in times of stress and grief. While we can’t always choose what happens to us, we can choose how we feel about it.
Some techniques to help you to build your sense of gratitude:
“Look closely and you will find that people are happy because they are grateful. The opposite of gratefulness is just taking everything for granted…The root of joy is gratefulness...It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” David Steindal-Rast (Benedictine Monk)
Meet others talking about how they incorporate gratitude into daily life in the gratitude discussion.
@michellegraffradford – You definitely inspired a lot of gratitude sharing! We are checking in over at this address and welcome you to stop by there anytime. It ALWAYS lifts my spirits!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gratitude-discussion-group/
Liked by Colleen Young, Connect Director, Lyn
My 13 year old granddaughter is now in residential care after after a suicide attempt and anorexia. She was in a Behavioral hospital for a month. My prayer is for to realize how beautiful and how loved she is by family and friends and not listen to the voices in her head. She is still self harming and losing weight. I am thankful she is receiving treatment from a respected care team.
Liked by Colleen Young, Connect Director, Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor, lioness ... see all
I feel so badly for all both of you and family. Middle School and high school are so hard. Prayers that your granddaughter begins to realize her worth and that she is loved.
Blessings,
JoDee
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, lioness, Ginger, Volunteer Mentor, Lyn ... see all
@damlady2 Im so sorry for your granddaughter and you I pray she gets the help she needs and will be more normal soon Prayers being sent her way
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
@damlady2 – My heart and prayers are going out to you and your family. I hope the residential care helps her re-connect with the beauty that is inside her. I had a friend whose daughter was anorexic and it was just horrible for the family to watch how she was hurting herself, but the residential treatment turned things around and she is now a thriving, healthy college student. I'm wishing the best for all of you. And if you have a chance, join us over on the other group where we are doing a Gratitude Group. Would love for you to be part of it. Just click here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gratitude-discussion-group/
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, lioness, Lyn
Hi, @damlady2 – I can imagine this has been very hard with your granddaughter.
I wanted to suggest this discussion on self-harm here on Mayo Clinic Connect that might be useful for you related to her situation:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/selfharm
You may also find other discussions of interest in the Mental Health group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mental-health/ or the Depression & Anxiety group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/depression-anxiety/.
I would like too. I am new as of today. Sheila
Liked by Colleen Young, Connect Director, Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor, Lyn
Hi @bvgrammy – Welcome to Connect! You will find so many great people here who have caring hearts and sharing spirits! Can you tell me a little bit more about what brought you to Connect? I hope you will join our Gratitude Group. Here is the link.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gratitude-discussion-group/
Just click the link and you'll be over there. Meantime, I'm going to give you a welcome over on that group so others know you are coming. Glad you are here!
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Lyn, Becky, Volunteer Mentor
Looks like I posted something in Aug, of 2016. Forgot. But today is my first post in a long time. Thank you.
Liked by Colleen Young, Connect Director, Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Lisa Lucier, Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor
I am grateful for the FLOCK of cardinals that perched in the huge pine tree in my yard during the snowstorm last week. They took turns with the ther birds, feeding at the seed station. The brilliant red was astounding and I have been told that cardinals represent a visit from a friend or family member who has passed away. Whatever ~ I lost myself in their colors and flights to and from the feeder. The little females, so different in color gave me pause and some interesting free association thinking.
Liked by Colleen Young, Connect Director, Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, bonniep, Lyn ... see all
@mollymiller The birds are one thing I really miss from my home in Pa . I had them ,jaybirds love to see them hear there squack and other birds here in Calif. I only see crows ,pigeons. Once I did see a Golden Eagle beautiful bird.
@hopeful33250 Add me to the group! I’m grateful that today I’m feeling better and that I saw the big, beautiful moon!
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, lioness, Lyn
@just up n our roof got some cool pictures of clouds never saw this pattetn before and moon
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Lisa Lucier, Molly MIller, Ginger, Volunteer Mentor ... see all
Your granddaughter has a wonderful grandmother.
She is blessed to have your love.
You will be a good role model for her… by sharing your experiences with her… some successes, some not so!
My daughter was a scholar and a heavily recruited athlete. She became very thin and her pediatrician talked to her about a healthy weight.
We learned that my daughter was being bullied by a ‘friend’ who was academically successful, but who was not successful as an athlete.
Communication is so important with our growing children.
I look forward to a post from you telling us that your granddaughter is doing well.
Liked by victorkach
@michellegraffradford
Doris thank for your kind words. It warms my heart to hear that you were able to use the techniques. Hope your dear Mom is doing better.
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor