GRATITUDE JOURNALING: A STORY OF LOVE & JOY

“The struggle ends when the gratitude begins” - Neale Donald Walsch

Gratitude is a thankful acknowledgement of & appreciation for all the good things in one's life. Expressing gratitude is the easiest way to feel better, no matter how bad the situation seems. It has been strongly associated with more positive emotions, greater happiness & better health.

An old patient of mine was going through a rough patch & was feeling very negative about life. I recommended her to start writing a journal everyday with 3 things she is grateful for. Within just a few months, her thought patterns had drastically changed with a much more positive outlook towards life. She even felt more condent, stronger & ready to face her difcult life circumstances.

Gratitude journaling involves writing down at least 3 things you are thankful for. Look for new things, events or people everyday that ll your heart with thankfulness regardless of what is going on in your life. When you look back on your notes a week, a month or a year later, you will get to recall all the small beautiful moments that brought you so much joy.

Gratitude Journaling won't take much time but it can make a world of difference in your life.

For all those new to gratitude journaling, here are few ideas to get you started:

List three things you love about your life

Name a few people who were always there for you no matter what

List three events that brought a smile to your face

Write a note about why you love your home

Write a thank you note to yourself

Write about three possessions you are proud of

Make a note of something you look forward to

Reflect on a time when you were happy & at peace

Reflect on a time when laughed until you cried

List three people who did something nice for you

Look through your old family photographs & write about how you feel about the memory

Write about the city you live in & why love it

Write about activities that bring you joy

Write about your small accomplishments

Tips for reaping maximum psychological benets from your gratitude journal:

Before you start Journaling make a conscious decision to welcome happiness & gratitude into your life

Give a detailed description of everything that you're grateful for

Add a personal touch by focusing on people who matter the most in your life

Make a habit of paying attention to events that inspire gratitude in you.