It might seem that the big claims about the benefits of writing in a journal are like a pipe dream, but the scientific evidence is in. Gratitude journals do benefit you in big ways - from building relationships or getting better sleep.
They key is to keep one for the long term and use it daily.
Experience Stronger and More Fulfilling Relationships
It’s 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 amazing happens when you express gratitude often – your relationships simply open up and become better, especially when expressing gratitude for people you are struggling with.
Those relationships that don’t improve - you may start to recognize them 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’ll 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
The ability to take lemons and turn them into that sweet, delightful state drink of Arizona can be gained by keeping a gratitude journal.
The main reason is that you will learn on even a bad day to pick out the good in things that are happening around you. That requires a good imagination, creativity, and thinking on your feet.
Feel Less Aggression in Your Life
It’s hard to feel aggressive if you are happy and grateful. It’s okay to be angry about injustices in the world without being aggressive. But if you feel angry a lot due to your life, it’s really due to not finding the things to be grateful about.
There is almost always something to be grateful for, if you will only look for it. Nothing is too small to appreciate!
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’ll 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
Let's face it, it’s easier to sleep if you have less anxiety in your life. If you’re not anxious but go to sleep each night feeling thankful for everything you’ve experienced, it helps your brain to stop processing the events of the day so you can fall asleep faster.
Get More Done Every Day
When you are feeling more rested, less stressed, and more grateful, you’ll have a lot more energy to get things done every day.
This is a wonderful cycle that is always going to make you feel even more thankful because good things happened when you were feeling more productive.
Feel Better About Yourself
You can’t 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.
Accepting that you do have control over everything is half the battle, and your gratitude journal will make it clear that you do have control over what you appreciate.
