Gratitude Journaling For Mental Health

What is Gratitude?

Sounds like a pretty simple question. Surely we all know what it is to be grateful? The word gratitude is derived from the latin word "gratus", meaning grateful or pleasant. When we talk about gratitude the words that come to mind are thankfulness, appreciation and grateful. We are all well aware that gratitude is important but how do we measure our own gratitude? How do we know if we are doing enough to show our gratitude? One way is to keep a gratitude journal. However there are many different styles and methods to do that, let's explore that a little deeper.

Why is gratitude so important ?

There are many reasons why gratitude is important and why we should journal regularly about gratitude.

It is important that we are grateful for what we have, not materialistic but for people who have made an impact on our lives, for the place we live and also for our intimate circle of friends and family.

Having intentional gratitude and being present in the moment is a great way to increase our positivity and happiness. In doing so we can feel more satisfied with the life we are living.

When we give more attention to our surroundings and those we share it with can make us have less focus on the materialistic side of life.

The consistent habit of gratitude journaling can aid with our health and wellbeing. Gratitude helps with sleep and can even reduce fatigue which is a common complaint for us ladies reaching the wonderful stages of midlife.

Gratitude can also make us more resilient. When we feel appreciated and loved it enables us to lead a more positive life. Being grateful enables us to see the positivity in our own lives and to be thankful for it. Appreciating the life we have been given helps us to be conscious of the negativity but enables us to focus more on the positive side. An attitude of gratitude helps us to be more resilient to the disappointments we face in life that are inevitable.

The Benefits Of Gratitude

There are many great benefits of gratitude journaling. Gratitude is not only an action or activity, gratitude is a change in our mindset. When we commit to a daily habit of gratitude journaling, we change our mind set and in doing so we see the world around us in a whole different light.

Gratitude journaling is a tool for reflection. Writing in a gratitude journal daily gives us a space to slow down. A place to reflect on our journey. A place to remember all that we have to be thankful for. It can be a great place to write thank you letters to those who have inspired us throughout our lives even if we can't physically send them.

Gratitude journaling can give us a new perspective. When we consistently appreciate the life we have we begin to see our world differently. We become more appreciative of the things that we once took for granted. Our connection to friends and family is once again deepened, we understand that we have been given a gift of connection that so many others have not been given.

How To Start Your Gratitude Journal.

To begin a gratitude journal you will need a notebook and pen. You can add to those two items as you go along but to get started that is all you really need.

For me I'd choose a pretty book, something that will not only catch your eye but it will entice you to journal on a regular basis.

If this is the first time you have considered journaling I would suggest you use a smaller notebook, it won't be so daunting when you see that blank page.

There are various ways that you might want to journal for gratitude, for example-

• Writing lists of things in your life that your grateful for.

If you choose this option it is a good idea to also write why you are grateful for these things. I would also suggest that you add a quote or affirmation that resonates with how you are feeling in this moment.

• Creative Memory Gratitude

This is a fun way to keep a gratitude journal if you find lists too monotonous. This is a way to collate memory keeping with gratitude journaling. Take a photo of a memorable event and write about the moment. Document the event, who was there, what took place and why you are grateful for it.

I Don't Have Anything To Be Grateful For

We all have something to be grateful for, We should not overthink this. Even the most insignificant thing in our life is worth being grateful for. Everything from the air we breathe to our diet. Think about what you have in your life that you could not possibly function without. your car , your hairdryer, chocolate, coffee , wine , the simplest things are worth a moment of gratitude.

Examples Of Gratitude When We Do Not Experience Special Events

I would argue that every day that you have breath in your lungs is a special event.

A special event does not have to be an earth shattering exceptional event.

Gratitude journaling is a great space to help us acknowledge how our every day experiences can become special events. Sure it can be wonderful to document special moments such as birthdays, celebrations or events however being present in the moment helps us to look at our lives through a very different lense.

Guided Gratitude Journaling

If you still feel overwhelmed by looking for moments in life to be grateful for or are unsure how to begin your first list, perhaps guided journaling may be helpful to begin with.

A guided journal, is a journal with pre written prompts to help you think about what you can write about.

There are many beautiful pre guided journals available on Etsy and Amazon, I also have a list of prompts available to those who subscribe to my website. If you would like a copy to begin your journey of gratitude journaling, subscribe to my website or drop me an email I'd be honored to give you a copy.

In Conclusion

Gratitude journaling is a proven tool to aid your mental health and a way to expand your practice of self love. I hope that I have inspired you to begin this practice for yourself. Some points to remember -

• Think about gratitude just once during your day to begin with.

• Write at a time that fits in with your day and schedule.

• Don't feel overwhelmed.

• Start this routing simply.

• Look for things to be grateful for throughout your day and keep a note of them.

• Make gratitude journaling part of your daily routine.

Enjoy the process and grow the habit gradually.

xx Lei

A GRATEFUL HEART IS A MAGNET FOR MIRACLES - ANON