Thankfulness Jar

Donna Nichols • November 8, 2024
A mason jar with a thankful tag on it is sitting on a wooden table.

I love this idea and posted it a couple of years ago and thought we could all use it again. With all the ugly things going on in this world we can always find something to be thankful for, so let’s write those things down and put them in a jar! Then when you are feeling low, or down and out you can go back to that jar and take a couple of them out, read them and you will feel so much better. What better time to do this than Thanksgiving time?


The Oxford Dictionary states that being ‘thankful’, is being ‘pleased and relieved’. It is a feeling. A warm and pleasing state of mind. Feeling gratitude is an action, like saying, ‘thank you’. It is something we have been conditioned into saying from the moment we learn to talk. It is an automatic response. However, this “automatic” response has been lacking by so many these days. We need to get back to using our manners and saying please and thank you to others.


A thankfulness jar can be made at home, in school, or in an assisted living community. It doesn’t require many tools and the benefits will be plentiful.

First, you will need a jar of any size, some slips of paper, ribbon, a sharpie, fabric, wrapping paper (or whatever you’d like to decorate your jar with), and a pen.


The process is so simple, you decorate your jar and write on the slips of paper what you are thankful for and put them in the jar. Whenever you are feeling blue, or the bad things happening in this world are getting you down, you can go back to your jar and read the slips of paper.


Some of the benefits of a thankfulness jar are:


  1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
  2. Gratitude improves physical health.
  3. Gratitude improves psychological health.
  4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
  5. Grateful people sleep better.
  6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.
  7. Gratitude increases mental strength.


It’s a no-lose project and you may even have some fun creating your jar.


If you are making your thankfulness jar for only a short period of time, why not write a slip every day and pop it in the jar. If you are doing your jar for a longer period, why not write out a slip at the end of the week. Perhaps make it a family event, where you all take a moment together and sit quietly to write on separate pieces of paper. When the time comes at the end of your thankfulness jar period, open the jar, pour them all out and read them. See which ones are your favorites, or which ones have been said more than once.

 

If you are up for a challenge, why not start one this Thanksgiving and do it for a whole year? Every couple of weeks write a note out. Then in a year’s time, when you are all together around the table, pour them all out. Reminisce, laugh, cry and be happy together.


If you can’t come up with anything to write, here are some quotes that may help stimulate your imagination or at least give you something to think about.


“If a fellow isn't thankful for what he’s got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.”
—Frank A. Clark


“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.”
—Tecumseh


“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.”
—Anthony Robbins


 “Strive to find things to be thankful for, and just look for the good in who you are.”

—Bethany Hamilton


“I have a lot to be thankful for. I am healthy, happy and I am loved.”
—Reba McEntire


“When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.”
—Vietnamese Proverb


“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not but rejoices for those which he has.”

—Epictetus


“The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.”
—William James



Assisted Living Made Simple hopes you have many things to be thankful and grateful for this holiday season and all year long. Should you decide to make a thankfulness jar, please call us at 386-847-2322 and tell us how it went or post a picture of it to our Facebook page, we’d love to see your photos.


 

Why Are Seniors Always So Cold?

By Donna Nichols • March 9, 2026
If you’ve ever walked into a room full of older adults and noticed the sweaters, shawls, and space heaters humming in the corner, you’re not imagining it — many seniors really do feel colder than everyone else. And it’s not just a quirk. There are real, physical reasons behind it, and understanding them can make daily life a lot more comfortable. 1. Our Internal Thermostat Changes Over Time As we age, the body becomes less efficient at regulating temperature. The internal “thermostat” in the brain doesn’t respond as quickly to cold, so seniors may feel chilly even when the room is warm enough for others. 2. Less Muscle = Less Heat Muscle mass naturally decreases with age, and muscle is what helps generate body heat. With less of it, the body simply produces less warmth. Even active seniors may notice they get cold more easily than they used to. 3. Thinner Skin and Reduced Circulation Skin becomes thinner over time, offering less insulation. On top of that, circulation often slows, meaning warm blood takes longer to reach hands, feet, and other extremities. This is why fingers and toes are often the first to feel icy. 4. Medications Can Play a Role Many common medications — including those for blood pressure, thyroid issues, or depression — can affect how warm or cold someone feels. It’s not always the medication itself, but how it interacts with the body’s temperature signals. 5. Underlying Health Conditions Conditions like anemia, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or poor circulation can all contribute to feeling cold. Sometimes, persistent chilliness is the body’s way of asking for a check-in with a healthcare provider. 6. Hydration and Nutrition Matter More Than You Think Dehydration and low-calorie intake can both make the body feel colder. Seniors who don’t drink enough water or who eat lightly may notice they’re chilly more often. Simple Ways to Stay Warm and Comfortable • Layer up with breathable fabrics • Keep moving — even gentle stretching boosts circulation • Warm beverages throughout the day • Use blankets or heated throws safely • Check room drafts and adjust thermostat settings • Talk with a doctor if coldness is new or worsening A Warm Note to Close Feeling cold isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a natural part of aging. With a few small adjustments and a little awareness, seniors can stay cozy, comfortable, and confident all year long.

How the Spring Season Helps Us Heal

By Donna Nichols • March 3, 2026
Spring has a way of softening the world. The air warms, the light lingers, and suddenly the small things — a bird call, a new bloom, a gentle breeze — feel like invitations to breathe a little deeper. For many seniors, especially those carrying grief, stress, or the weight of a long winter, March can feel like a quiet turning point. Here’s why spring so often brings emotional renewal, no matter your age. 1. Light Returns, and So Does Energy Longer days naturally lift mood. More sunlight helps regulate sleep, boosts energy, and gently nudges the body out of winter’s heaviness. Even a few minutes outside can shift the way the day feels. 2. Nature Models Healing Spring is a season of second chances. Trees bud again, flowers push through the soil, and the world rebuilds itself without rushing. For seniors navigating loss or change, this slow, steady renewal can feel reassuring — a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible. 3. Movement Feels More Natural Warmer weather encourages small steps: a walk to the mailbox, a few minutes on the porch, tending to a plant. These simple movements help ease stiffness, improve mood, and reconnect the body with the world around it. 4. Social Life Blossoms Too As the weather improves, people naturally come out of hibernation. Neighbors chat outside, community events pick up, and families gather more often. Even brief interactions can brighten a day and reduce feelings of isolation. 5. Spring Encourages Reflection — and Release There’s something about fresh air and open windows that invites a mental reset. Many seniors find themselves sorting through memories, letting go of what no longer serves them, and making space for what’s next. A Season That Meets You Where You Are Spring doesn’t demand big changes. It simply offers gentle reminders: you’re still growing, still healing, still here. Whether you’re grieving, rebuilding, or simply ready for a lighter season, March brings a quiet kind of hope — one that arrives softly and stays.

Winter Wellness: Staying Safe and Steady in February

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2026
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