Why You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal

Why You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we often forget to take a few minutes to realize how blessed we are.

Our hectic schedules drive us to work, cook, clean, run errands, and more.

With so much to do in the days, weeks, and months that go by, it’s easy to forget to pause and reflect on all you have and be grateful.

Those who take time to write down things they feel grateful for each evening in a gratitude journal consistently report lots of health and mental benefits.

Pausing to reflect on your blessings will help relieve any negative emotions that you might be harboring, such as anxiety or depression.

Five minutes of writing down five things you’re grateful for each day may be just what you need to feel calmer and more centered.

Here are some reasons why it’s a good idea to keep a journal:

1. Increased positivity.

Your journal gives you a chance to reflect on everything you’re grateful for in life.

Filling it each day with notes of things you’re thankful for can help you feel less stressed throughout the day.

And when you focus on the positive things going on in your life, you naturally attract positivity.

Writing down things you feel grateful for also promotes gratitude in yourself and those around you.

Positive things may float around in your subconscious.

But it is when you write them down that it becomes more real.

2. Better sleep.

Taking less than 20 minutes before bedtime to put down your grateful thoughts can help you sleep better, both tonight and on future nights.

Research suggests that writing down what you’re thankful for regularly can increase your serotonin levels, which control your nervous system and affect sleep.

When you strive to entertain positive thoughts throughout the day — and then spend time before bed writing down the things that you’re grateful for — you don’t feel as anxious or worried.

3. You feel happier.

Identifying the things that you’re grateful for means you acknowledge the good things in your life.

When you write them down, you allow yourself to relish the feelings of gratitude you’re experiencing.

A happier perspective affects your life, causing you to build stronger relationships and feel more comfortable and healthier.

And studies indicate that people who keep a gratitude journal tend to be more optimistic.

They also feel much better and are more content with their lives than those who don’t.

They also feel much better and are more content with their lives than those who don’t.

Learn more here about journaling for beginners

4. It’s an excellent way to reduce stress levels.

Grateful people are happier people.

And more optimistic people tend to take care of themselves better than those who aren’t thankful for their existence.

They can also deal with stress better and in a healthy manner.

Scientists have discovered that a person who focuses on satisfaction and contentment experiences his body countering stress almost automatically.

And when you no longer feel stressed, you’re more grounded and can face life head-on, no matter what it throws at you.

5. Improved self-esteem.

Instead of feeling sorry for yourself or focusing on the negative aspects of your life, focus on your blessings and rejoice in the good things that have happened.

When you can see and appreciate the good things in your life, you develop an attitude of gratitude.

Your self-esteem improves, and so does your outlook on life in general.

In 2014, researchers published a study on gratitude.

They discovered that grateful athletes trusted their teammates more.

It turns out that their enhanced self-belief from feelings of gratitude caused them to trust their teammates.

And so, I challenge you to take five minutes each evening to write down at least three things that make you feel grateful.

You may not realize it, but your life will become a lot more joyful and even healthier after just one week.

And if that doesn’t work out for you, try it a few more weeks.

You will transform your life.

The Set-Up of a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude journals generally resemble a mixture of a traditional journal and bullet journal.

T hey are not really meant for full blown journal entries.

Instead they focus on very specific moments or events in your day that you can feel grateful for.

You do not elaborate on them. You simply find the good in each day.

The journal page should have the date and possibly the time if you are writing down the events as they happen.

The key to this journal is to use a bullet style to mark off each event or gratitude and to reflect on those at the end of the day.

A gratitude journal can be as simple as a few lines or just one line.

You can put it in your normal calendar, planner, or just in your tablet.

Just make sure that you find at least one thing to be grateful for in each day, no matter how bad the day was.

Gratitude Journals To Inspire And Guide You:

I have created a series of different styles of gratitude journals, from simple one page daily prompts, to fully illustrated guided journals.

Check them out below, I’m sure you will find a style and design that resonates with you!

Guided Journal: For a life well lived with color illustrations, Nature inspired Self Discovery, daily reflections and writing prompts

Gratitude Journal – Angel Cherub Fairy: Gorgeous full color Cherub & Guardian Angel Theme illustrated Thankfulness Diary

Gratitude Journal: Inspirational – Dreams: Gorgeous full color illustrated self growth writing prompts Thankfulness Diary and Blessings Journal

Gratitude Journal – Retro Vibe: Geometrics: Gorgeous full color vibrantly illustrated writing prompts Thankfulness Diary and Blessings Journal

Gratitude Journal – Magical Unicorns: Gorgeous full color Unicorn illustrated Thankfulness Diary – White Unicorn (Illustrated Writing Prompts Gratitude Journal

Gratitude Journal – Angel Cherub Fairy: Gorgeous full color Cherubs Angels and Fairies Theme illustrated Thankfulness Diary

Gratitude Journal: Gorgeous full color Floral Theme illustrated Thankfulness Journal – Rambling Rose

I Am Grateful For: Birds on Blue | Decorative lined page simple Gratitude Journal for lovers of Oriental designs

Daily Thoughts Journal: Discover the power of daily reflection with this full color guided writing illustrated daily thoughts journal

365 Daily Journal: Alabaster Cover 11″x 8.5″ Paperback Perpetual Annual Planner and Journal

Gratitude Journal: Cute Cats – Yellow: Funny full color pussy cat illustrated writing prompts Thankfulness Diary and Blessings Journal 6″ x 9″

Gratitude Journal: Inspirational – Boho: Gorgeous full color illustrated self growth writing prompts Thankfulness Diary and Blessings Journal

Check out more of my journals here at:

Amazon

and at:

Lulu

To conveniently order online for delivery direct to your door!

Want more information about this subject by this author?

Check out our other self help pages here!

Many topics in the self help and personal development subject are covered in my pages here and on my website.

I hope that you will find them helpful to you and that you will USE the information I share here:

10 Traits That Will Bring You Success.

Ways To Appreciate Yourself

How Journalling Can Change Your Life

Guide To Using Writing Therapy For Self Growth

Ways To Build Self Esteem

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It’s all possible when you help yourself using our FREE personal development resources and free self help books at Discovery Hub in our Guide about Journaling For Beginners

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