Last summer, my friend Nikita was struggling. Her mother was unwell, and the pandemic was raging. Upon speaking to her, she was all lost and depressed in her own world. I could not see her getting zoned out. Hence, I challenged her to write a thank-you note to someone every week. Meanwhile, I also started researching how gratitude can help us through difficult times.
Two months later, Nikita showed up and reflected on the benefits of this practice on her social media handles. She wrote, "It has been such a fun thing to do and appreciate people who have been a blessing in my life. I am grateful for it.." Nikita now lives in Udupi, and she has now been keeping a gratitude journal for a year. She mentions that she writes her gratitude journal at least once a week. It just takes her less than five minutes and puts her in a good frame for the day.
A gratitude journal is something where people record things they are thankful for. Also, what sets this gratitude journal apart from other kinds of personal records is that its content focuses exclusively on expressing appreciation.
Regularly journaling is all about writing good things that will help you give positivity and strengthen you to deal with the rough patches of your life. Finding a way to thank great things in life is the right thing to do. So, being grateful for people in life is a sign of positivity. Also, gratitude works like magic. It is an antidote to eliminate negativity.
From Wikipedia, we get this definition of a gratitude journal:
“A gratitude journal is a diary of things for which one is grateful. Gratitude journals are used by individuals who wish to focus their attention on the positive things in their lives.
Gratitude, the feeling of appreciation or thanks, has gained a lot of attention in the field of positive psychology. Some studies have found that those who are habitually grateful are happier than those who are not. Furthermore, studies suggest that feelings of gratitude may even possess mental and physical health benefits. Positive psychology strives to develop methods by which one can consistently enhance gratitude levels. Furthermore, the maintenance of a gratitude journal can help relieve depressive symptoms.”
Well, there is something about taking the time in the morning and writing down your thankfulness. Because during this time, you avoid social media, you avoid checking mails and eliminating tasks that consume your brain. It is all about sunset, fresh air, and actively positioning your brain to think clearly. In other words, you do not choose negativity, and you are in control of your thoughts and feelings.
As Nikita researched gratefulness, she was impressed by its emotional power. She narrated that if you start having more gratitude and start writing it down, you start training your brain to find more things you are grateful about. It also helps us overcome negativity naturally. She also narrated that keeping a gratitude journal has helped her brain make an effort to look out for things she is grateful for. She also adds that whenever she notices something she will write it down. Also, when things feel hard, she can find something she is grateful for.
Yes, gratitude is connected with a better quality of life and healthy social activity. Also, being grateful can help lower your stress, and anxiety.
It is also associated with a healthier resting heart rate, improved sleep quality, and a better immune system. People who keep writing gratitude journals make more progress towards their goals. I think all of us should write a Gratitude journal because it helps model our behavior and helps us find the happiness that the person radiates.
Your mental health matters, always! Take a moment to prioritize self-care and discover 6 simple yet powerful ways to nurture your mind and soul.
Embrace self-love this Valentine's Day with our wellness guide! Beyond roses, let's prioritize nourishing our minds, bodies, and souls.
Plate smashing is a quick, easy exercise that is a great way to relieve stress and let go of frustration, anger, and anxiety.
