Photo credit: Shannon Kringen
Gratitude is a wonderful place to start when trying to change aspects of your life you are unhappy with. It is an affirmation. A way to recognise the good and positive elements of your life, without ignoring the less pleasant and upsetting parts. The benefits of identifying areas in your life that you are grateful for are scientifically proven to improve the social, psychological and physical health of those who regularly practice the act of gratitude.
One of the easiest ways to get in the habit of practising gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Just sit at the end of each day, and write down five things you are grateful for. Each entry should be brief … just a few sentences.
Your entry could be something mundane, such as “Today I am grateful that I woke up”.
It could be inspiring, such as “Today I am grateful that a friend invited me for coffee”.
Or it could be universal, such as “Today I am grateful that the sun is shining”.
There are a few things to take into consideration when you are writing about what you are grateful for. Take some time to reflect on your day, and think about the people and things that you are thankful for. Going through the motions will not help with changing the way you think about yourself, or those around you. Try reflecting on what your life would be like without certain things, and determine gratitude from there.
Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. Don’t worry about whether you are writing in a fancy journal, or on the back of a shopping receipt. It is the process of reflection that counts, not the way it is written down.
Keeping a gratitude journal is about forcing ourselves to pay attention to the good things we would otherwise take for granted.
With every good wish…..
Julie
