Gratitude — the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. And a gratitude journal is an accessible, inexpensive, and rewarding practice that has incredible physiological and psychological benefits.
A gratitude journal is simply a book or notepad where you write down all of the things you love and appreciate about your life, in this moment. What you’re grateful for could be something as simple as having two legs to walk on, or your eyesight that allows you to observe the beauty of life.
You can decide how long your list is each day and how much detail you want to go into. While writing down what you’re grateful for is important, it’s more important that you feel the feelings of gratitude as you write— this is where the love, healing, and “magic” happens.
There are also health benefits you can experience from keeping a gratitude journal.
1. Reduce Stress Levels
Grateful people take better care of themselves, meaning, in the long run, they live healthier lives and are therefore able to manage stress in a healthier way. Scientists have found that focusing on feelings of contentment and satisfaction naturally counters stress, and leaves you feeling much more grounded and able to deal with whatever life throws at you.
2. Helps Change Your Perspective on Life
You may be surprised to how the circumstances in your life begin to change once you begin to write down what you’re thankful for consistently. Once your gratitude journal becomes a daily ritual, feeling gratitude becomes a habit— and these feelings are the ultimate catalyst for positive change in your life. You may be surprised at how you begin to view challenges and obstacles, which previously caused you stress. They’re no longer problems, but opportunities for growth.
3. Improve Your Self Esteem
It’s easy to feel down on yourself when you focus on the negative, but a gratitude journal should also include all of the things you love about yourself. How often do we give ourselves credit for what we’re doing great at?
4. Improves Your Sleep
Spending just 15 minutes before bed writing down a few grateful sentiments can help you have a much better night’s sleep, according to a study on the topic. By thinking of the positive experiences of the day or reminding yourself of what you have to be thankful for, you are much less likely to ponder over your worries and therefore clear your mind for a good night’s sleep.
5. Attract More of What You Want in Your Life
Writing down the things you’re grateful for in your journal may also help you gain insight into what’s really important in your life. Take note of what you’re continually writing down. Perhaps you’re most appreciative of moments with family and friends, and in this case, you may choose to carve out more time in your life to experience more of these moments. Remember, everything is energy and focusing on what you love will inevitably bring you more of it.
Are you ready to change your life? .