As a health care professional, I have been fascinated by a number of studies that have demonstrated tangible benefits from practicing gratitude: Some of the findings, according to a Psychology Today article:

1. Gratitude facilitates relationships. Showing appreciation goes a long way in creating connections.
2. Gratitude enhances physical health. A habit of gratitude reduces symptoms of aches and pains.
3. Gratitude reduces depression. Robert Emmons, a researcher who has studied gratitude, has found that gratitude increases happiness and reduces depression.
4. Gratitude improves sleep. One study showed that people who write in a gratitude journal before going to bed slept better and longer.
5. Gratitude helps counter stress. A study of Vietnam veterans showed that those soldiers who had higher levels of gratitude experienced lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorder.

A colleague of mine at the hospital recently shared a recent experience that left her with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, and changed her and her husband’s perceptions about the goodness in humanity.

Brooke Fretwell has always known that she worked with an amazing group of people. But as she recovers from brain surgery, she has gained a whole new level of appreciation for the compassion and kindness of her fellow caregivers.

Brooke, who lives in Layton with her husband Kenny, works as a nurse in the Emergency Department at Holy Cross Hospital – Layton. A few months ago, while receiving a scan for a back injury her physician spotted a tumor on her brain.

She had surgery to remove the tumor on Aug. 27. When she arrived home four days later, she was greeted by one of her co-workers bringing her dinner. And the next day another co-worker showed up with a meal. And the next, and the next. Ten days later the meals still keep coming, along with text messages, phone calls and visits.

A couple of days after being home, Brooke started having some complications. Her husband wasn’t sure what to do, so he hopped on Brooke’s phone and sent a message to a text group. Not long after, one of Brooke’s nurse co-workers, showed up at the house, and spent the day with Brooke on her day off, so that Kenny could go to work.

“This is unlike anything I’ve seen before,” Brooke told me “It’s been so profound. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so cared for in my whole life.”

She says it’s much more than the homemade roasts, bread, grilled chicken, desserts. It’s the genuine compassion that has given her a huge boost during her recovery.

Shout out to the Emergency Department team at Holy Cross Hospital – Davis for demonstrating true human kindness.

This year on World Gratitude Day, I am making a conscientious effort to develop a greater sense of gratitude and to express my appreciation to those around me more often. I invite you to do the same. Gratitude can help us create the world we badly want and need at this time-and in the process we might all be a bit healthier.

Kyle Brostrom is the president of Holy Cross Hospital – Davis. He lives in Fruit Heights with his wife and sons, and he is grateful to live in Davis County.