It is no secret that one of the best things a husband can do for his wife is show gratitude. Being grateful has valuable effects on the emotional as well as our physical health. According to Sheela Raja, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago "when people feel gratitude, it helps with depression and other mental health (issues)."� In addition, "people who express gratitude regularly report fewer headaches, less chronic pain, better sleep"¦it's a matter of slowing down to pay attention to what's good in your life." It looks like being grateful is a bonus not only for her, but also for yourself. The following are simple suggestions to show gratitude to your wife.

Find something on her "to do" list every day and do it for her without being asked. To ensure you don't forget, put a reminder on your phone every night to make sure it gets done.

Consider making dinner. This doesn't mean you have to be a gourmet cook, almost anyone can make grilled cheese sandwiches, order pizza or bring home takeout. In addition, how about letting your wife relax while you clean up the dishes following your meal?

One wife stated that the way she knows her husband is grateful to her is by the mere fact he can recognize when she is tired of dealing with kids/job/life, and he sends her out the door with some girlfriends, for a pedicure, or simply just sends her out so she can have some alone time.

If you are just beginning to work on showing more gratitude, here are more simple ways husbands have shown gratitude:

• Holding the door open for her.

• Filling her car up with gas or washing her car.

• Changing baby's diaper and reading to the kids.

• Extra-long hugs.

• Telling the kids how great their mother is in front of her.

• Picking up the dry cleaning.

• Sending a "love note" e-mail or text in the middle of the day.

• Bringing home flowers or candy for no reason.

• Giving a foot rub and painting her toenails.

• Taking the kids out of the house for a few hours.

The list could go on and on.

The basic fact is, by simply saying those two small words you have also said that you are aware of her, that you appreciate her, and, most importantly, you love her.

The post Not so secret ways to show gratitude to your wife appeared first on FamilyToday.

1. Wash windows

Using an empty spray bottle, fill with a diluted amount of window cleaner, just enough for the child to think it is real. Give them a rag or paper towel and let them go at it. Chances are good that they will get the big spots off the glass and you can go back later and get the rest.

2. Sort Toys

Find bins or containers for each type of toy and clearly label with a picture of that item: cars, people, blocks, magnets, etc. Let them pick up a toy and match it to the correct bin. Let them work at their own pace while you work at yours. Try to see if the toys can be sorted before you finish singing a particular song.

3. Wash Door Handles

Hand your child an antibacterial wipe or a rag with disinfectant on it and instruct them to wash down each door handle. You can be wiping down the door and light switches at the same time. Carry around a small stool so they can reach.

4. Wiping Base Boards

Using a wet rag, work along with your child as they wipe down the baseboards. Make it a contest to see whose rag gets the dirtiest. Work in small areas and do it a few minutes each day.

5. Strip the Dirty Sheets off the Bed

You pull off the first three corners and let your toddler finish and place the sheets in a laundry hamper. If the load isn't too heavy, help them push the hamper across the floor and into the laundry room. Making car noises while pushing is optional.

6. Make the Bed

Let them get the first corner on while you work on the other side of the bed with the fitted sheet. With the flat sheet, they can pull the sheets up pretty far and as you reach across to their side, you can straighten it up. Help them slide the pillow into the case.

7. Mop the Floor

Once you have swept the floor, hand your child a wet rag and let them go at it. They may only pick the dirty spots, but think of it as a pre-treat for when you come by with the mop.

8. Empty the Dishwasher

Take the flatware container out of the dishwasher and set on the counter next to the drawer. Standing on a stool, your toddler can sort the spoons and forks after you have already put away all the knives and sharp utensils.

9. Sorting Laundry

Consider sorting the clothes before folding them. Your toddler knows what pajamas are his big sisters and that the football jersey is his big brother's. While you fold the rest of the laundry, let him fold his own, carry it to his room and put it in the right drawers.

10. Empty the Trash

Have your child bring the garbage cans from each room to a central location to empty it, then have her return the can where it came from.

Working alongside your toddler will not only provide quality time together, but a fun time, too. Praise them for their efforts and thank them for being good helpers. Mary Poppins said it best. "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. Find the fun and - Snap! - the job's a game."�

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