I’ve been grateful for many things over the years and often just say it out loud. Sometimes, I write it down just to reinforce it.
Lately, worry and anxiety are competing for time and space in my thoughts. I do my best to stay present but I am, by nature, a bit of a worrier. That’s why I decided it’s time to dust off my gratitude journal and get consistent about writing three things each morning and each night for which I am grateful.
It’s not just a head-in-the-clouds or head-in-the-sand exercise, there are many studies that suggest that gratitude can improve mental and physical health. Just Google “gratitude studies” and you’ll find plenty of reading material. For instance…
Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami did a study where they asked all participants to write a few sentences each week. One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Additionally, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to doctors than those who focused on sources of aggravation.
Dr. Emmons work also suggests that writing down a few reasons to feel thankful before bed could get you an extra half hour of quality sleep. I’m definitely up for trying that.
So if you’re feeling too stressed to write your life stories during these trying times, try a gratitude journal. Share your thoughts below.
All the best,
Val
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