Why You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude is good for you!

Thinking about the things you have to be thankful for is a much better use of your time than worrying about the past or fretting about the future.

Counting your blessings by keeping a gratitude journal can help you keep more positive thoughts front of mind, and there are actual scientific studies to show the benefits of thankfulness.

Here are five reasons you should keep a gratitude journal:

1. Change Your Thought Patterns

Studies have shown a strong mind-body connection. When we’re feeling stressed, anxious or another negative emotion, it can have a negative effect on our physical health. When considering those things, events or people you’re thankful for, you create positive thoughts and feelings which will help to reduce those stress levels. It will also remind you that, whatever happens to you, there is always something to feel thankful for.

Your commitment to your gratitude journal refocuses your mind on positive events, conversations and relationships. This enables you to see more than just those negative ones that tend to fill your mind and dominate your thoughts.

Another way your thought patterns will change is that you will find that you start pushing boundaries and removing limiting beliefs. This will happen as you not only keep your gratitude journal but also review it. You will find that your mind opens to new possibilities and you gain in self-confidence and knowledge.

2. Improve Your Health

The fact that there is a mind-body connection means that by focusing on positive thoughts and feelings in your gratitude journal you’re helping to improve your physical and mental health. Studies have shown that regular gratitude journaling can:

Relieve stress and anxiety
Improve sleep
Give a positive perspective to life

3. Create Optimism

Some days it’s just too hard to see the woods for the trees. You find yourself focusing on something that has upset you and troublesome thoughts nag away at you constantly. Taking some time to sit quietly and think about things you are grateful for will help reduce the negative thoughts and feelings and replace them with positive ones.

4. Improve Sleep

Even if you don’t feel the need for eight hours sleep each night, your body and mind do require a regular amount of sleep for optimal mental and physical health. Keeping a gratitude journal is fun, calming and a positive activity that promotes happy thoughts and feelings. By replacing worry and stress, you can sleep more peacefully and have happier dreams.

5. It’s Fun

Keeping a gratitude journal is a fun enjoyable experience that you can look forward to each day. It doesn’t matter whether you use a plain notebook or a really fancy one, you can jazz it up by using different colored pens or pencils, or even decorating the pages.

If you want to create a positive change in yourself and your life, then keeping a gratitude journal may just be the tool you are looking for. It’s cheap, easy and very beneficial to your physical and mental health.

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