(Collaborative post) Can thank you notes improve wellbeing? We look at the different thank you notes
From a young age, we are taught the importance of saying please and thank you. Especially when receiving a gift. The traditional thank-you note played an important role for many generations, but is this still the case today? With technology playing an integral part in life, is there still room for handwritten notes? We decided to find out.
Can Thank You Notes Improve Wellbeing?
Thank You Notes and the Psychology Behind Them
There is more to a thank you note than simply saying thank you. They have the added bonus of making both the individual giving the note as the recipient feel good. This not only helps to strengthen a relationship but also positively boosts the mood of both individuals. When we sending thank you notes, we create a positive mental state by encouraging the release of happy hormones. The recipient also has an increased feeling of self-worth and increases their positive feelings towards the person that gave them the note.
Traditional vs Tech
There is something to be said for the convenience of tech. Quickly typing out a thank you text or sending an email is fast and you don’t have to worry about postage or finding addresses. These electronic messages are still polite, but they don’t carry the same sentiment as a traditional thank you card. Taking the time and effort to handwrite a thank you card is a great way to show someone how much you appreciate them. It’s a much more thoughtful gesture.
Practise Gratitude
While it’s great to mark special occasions with thank you notes, new research has shown that writing letters of gratitude to someone who has helped you can improve your mental wellbeing, as well as give a boost to the person you’re thanking. There’s never a bad time to let someone know how much you appreciate them. It will always be a welcome, happy, surprise in the post. If you are thanking someone for being a friend or support why not send them a small gift alongside the note. Certain types of gifts are also shown to improve well-being.
When Should you Send Thank You Cards?
It is modern etiquette to give thanks for something you have received, this can include support during a difficult time, presents received during a baby shower, presents received during your wedding, and even saying thanks to those for attending. The general rule for sending out thank you cards is to do it in a timely manner, within a few days. For weddings, the general protocol is within 3 months.
Thoughtful Gesture
Thank you notes certainly aren’t going anywhere. Yes, they may be less commonplace than they used to be thanks to the convenience of technology, but this doesn’t mean people will stop writing them altogether. A handwritten thank you card is such a lovely gesture. It will always mean a lot to whoever you’re sending it to.
No matter how old a person is, they will appreciate a handwritten note. Remember, you don’t have to send one just on special occasions. It’s an opportunity to practice gratitude. Who are you thankful for in your life?
What do you think? Can thank you notes improve wellbeing? Do you send them?
Pin It!
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to Melanie’s Fab Finds RSS feed to see my latest posts. Emails will include recipes, reviews etc. and as a result, you will hear about my new posts and competitions first!
Discover more from Melanie's Fab Finds
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I think thank you notes are a must. I make sure my kids write them whenever family sends them a gift. I just think it’s proper manners!
Being raised southern, it was and still us just bad manners not to send a thank you note. It’s just proper but I feel it’s not being taught any more like it used to be.
I do love receiving letters. I can see the benefits of this type of thankyou note.
There are so many people I’ll gladly send a thank you note too. Thanks for sharing this topic.
I love receiving a thank you note or card, it makes me feel so appreciated and happy. There is just something extra special about it.
I absolutely think they are good for wellbeing. You feel good giving them and even better receiving them, knowing that you have made somebody else happy.
I love receiving cards. They’re so few and far between these days with technology.
They really are and really perk you up x
I really enjoy writing thank you cards. I am really surprised when you don’t get them for things like a gift at a shower. I don’t need the card, but it would be nice
I’m so bad about this. Can’t an email thank you count as recognition of good deeds?
There is something about thank you notes they can really make you smile. I have to admit at being bad at sending them though.
I have some cards ready at home in case I need to send one. Being prepared can help.
Thank you cards are very rare these days i don’t know why! They’re very special.
Not many send them these days which is a shame.
My kids always send thank you notes for their presents from people, I think it’s lovely to receive them
It really comes down to manners quite a lot of the time. It’s great you make sure your children send them.
I love receiving thank you cards and sending them. It’s such a lovely personal touch and makes you feel good too.
I love that you have written about this. I have to agree with everything that you wrote, it just enriches our lives when we do. great post
It does bring a smile to people’s faces.
I love receiving written thank you notes and make a point to ensure my children do write thank you notes when they receive presents for their birthdays as it is a beautiful thing
It’s a lovely touch and more thoughtful.
I completely agree that sending and also receiving thank you notes can boost your wellbeing. It’s creating and enhancing that connection, isn’t it. There’s definitely a feel good factor to showing someone gratitude.
It really does make both the recipient and giver feel good.
I think anyone will appreciate a handwritten note. It’s pleasant to receive it and it makes you feel important.
It really does make you feel appreciated receiving a handwritten note from a friend or loved one.
I love giving these out especially when I was in a building for work. Receiving them gives a different type of joy to me rather than texting it. Thanks for sharing!
It is lovely to receive a handwritten note.
I don’t send thank you cards but I think I will start doing it. I also feel happy whenever I receive one.
It’s lovely to receive them. The more we give the more we encourage others to do the same.
I think it’s lovely to actually send a thank you card rather than a text or email. We always do it after birthdays and Christmas.
That’s really sweet and great that you have a tradition of doing it.
I would love to send thank you cards to myself. Been through a lot and I think I deserve some for myself too!
There is nothing stopping you. A little treat along with it would be nice too x
We do them at work and it always means such a lot to recieve one as you feel appreciated
It really does. Not many take the time to do handwritten notes.
I think more and more of these days I am appreciating the handwritten thank you notes than typed up ones.
It’s that personal touch, it makes a big difference.
Loved this post and I too do always enjoy receiving a hand written note or card. It really does brighten your day and bring a smile to your face.
It really does help brighten people’s day.
I was always taught to write thank you notes. It is such a thoughtful gesture in the age of technology, and I think it is good for kids to learn the art of a written thank you.
I think this is a great idea