It might seem like a pipe dream that writing in a journal could be so beneficial. But the scientific evidence is in, and gratitude journals benefit you in significant ways if you keep one for the long term and use it daily.
Experience Stronger and More Fulfilling Relationships
It is so simple, but it can be hard to accept. You are the one who makes yourself happy with your own choices. Another person cannot make you happy or grateful. Only you can do that. But something unique happens when you express gratitude often – your relationships open up and become better. Those that do not, you start to recognize for what they are and let them go.
Become Physically Healthier
Being grateful for the ability to move and breathe will eventually cross over into wanting to ensure that you can always do that. Therefore, you will be more motivated to go on walks, eat right, stay hydrated, and live in gratitude for every aspect of your life.
Increase Your Mental Dexterity
You take lemons and turn them into Arizona’s sweet and delightful state drink by keeping a gratitude journal. The main reason is that you will learn on even a bad day to pick out the good in it. That requires a good imagination, creativity, and thinking on your feet.
Feel Less Aggression in Your Life
It is hard to feel aggressive if you are happy and grateful. It is okay to be angry about injustices in the world without being aggressive. But if you feel angry a lot due to your life, it is not finding the things to be grateful about in your life. There is almost always something for most people.
Act and Become More Empathetic
As you write more and learn to forgive yourself as you seek to fill your mind with thoughts of gratitude, you will start seeing others differently. You will have more ability to put yourself in their shoes and see things from their way without judgment. It happens when you learn to forgive yourself.
Get More Restful Sleep
If you are not anxious but go to sleep each night feeling thankful for everything you have experienced (or at least most of it), it is more comfortable to sleep because you have less anxiety.
Get More Done Every Day
Due to feeling more rested, less stressed, and more grateful, you will have a lot more energy to get things done every day. That is always going to make you feel even more thankful because good things happen due to productivity.
Feel Better about Yourself
You can not help but feel better about yourself when you have improved so many good qualities about yourself. Your self-esteem will go up when you express gratitude for what your mind and body can do for you.
If you want to be happier, get more done in life, and experience real joy in life, a gratitude journal can be the way to achieve it. The guiding thing to remember is that your thoughts cause your feelings, and you are the one in control of the actions you take once you accept your feelings. Assuming that you do have control is half the battle, and your journal will make it clear that you do.
No matter what your goals are in life, journaling can help you reach those goals. It is not magic; it is just a simple way to voice what you want and to create action steps to get there. Goal setting does not have to be complicated, but if we do not have a precise list or a path of action steps, we can get distracted and lose track of our dreams. My “Journal to Relieve Stress and Reach Your Goals Faster” introductory class aims to teach you how to journal and write. All you need is 10 minutes a day to do some writing and the desire to dream big. Check out the class here: https://tinyurl.com/1vdou9ig.
Until next time, stay safe, and keep the faith.
