If you find yourself feeling stressed and overwhelmed often and are looking for ways to improve your mental health, a gratitude journal may be just what you need. Keeping a gratitude journal is a simple, yet powerful practice that has been shown to increase happiness and promote overall well-being. Whether you’re going through a specifically tough time or would just like to add another tool to your mental health kit, here’s how to start a gratitude journal and some of the benefits.
Improve Mental Health
When we face challenges or difficulties, it’s easy to get bogged down in negativity and forget about the good things in our lives. Keeping a gratitude journal allows us to make a practice of intentionally seeking out and acknowledging the positive things that happen every day. This can help us to feel more secure and shift our mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance.
Deepen Relationships
Focusing on what you’re grateful for in others can help you feel more connected to them and deepen your relationships. By taking time to consciously appreciate your loved ones or even coworkers, you’ll develop a habit of noticing their positive qualities, leading to better communication and more positive interactions.
How to Start
You can use any notebook or even an app for your gratitude journal, but we find choosing a journal you really love makes it easier to follow through. Once you’ve got your journal, set aside a few minutes each day to write down things you are grateful for. They can be anything from simple pleasures like your morning coffee to an important relationship with a loved one.