Gratitude
journaling is a popular tool used by coaches and consultants helping people to
improve their health and lives. Studies have shown the benefits for mental and
physical health. If you are considering whether this could be something that
could help you then you probably have questions about what you need and how to
do it. Gratitude journaling is actually very low cost and fairly simple.
You will need:
Writing implements: You could use a pen or pencil but why not increase the fun
and creative aspect of your journaling by adding color and even texture.
Different colored pens or pencils as well as different styles can make your
gratitude journal not just a record of thanks but also a really creative
endeavor.
Notebook:
While you could use a piece of paper, keeping a special notebook for your
gratitude journal ensures that you will know exactly where you are writing and
allows you to review previous gratitude records. Your notebook can be a plain
and simple one or you could splash out on a more decorative one. However, why
not consider using a plain notebook and jazzing it up yourself.
By
decorating a plain notebook or making a book from scratch you are making a
greater commitment to the project itself. Your notebook will mean more to you
and you will feel a greater connection to it when you use it. After all, if you
are writing positive thoughts inside it, you also want to feel happy and proud
when you see it.
Time Alone:
By taking time out away from disturbances you are giving yourself space to
think, relax and write. You'll also find that you enjoy the experience of being
alone and celebrating those things you are thankful for.
Now
you know what you need it's time to discover how to do it.
Collect
your journal and whatever you've chosen to write with.
Find
somewhere quiet and that you know you won't be disturbed. Your journaling time
should be a time for reflection and celebration free from outside distractions
for the best results.
Ensure
you are committed to gratitude journaling and that you want to feel happier as
well as more grateful as a result. There is no point in just going through the
motions of journaling without creating a positive meaningful emotional
experience.
When
you write, instead of creating a long list of things you are grateful for put
some real thought into it. Take time to write about a particular event and
describe in detail why you are thankful for it. Remember to record how you felt
and why.
Try
to include people you are thankful for as much as you can, not just events. By
including specific people and the reasons you are thankful for them you will
create a greater emotional impact. It becomes more personal.
Include
surprises and unexpected events as these will create a stronger sense of
gratitude and more significant emotional impact.
Set
yourself a weekly date to write in your gratitude journal. While you could
journal every day it may be more beneficial to create a habit of writing in
your gratitude journal once a week. This will allow you to plan for it and
enjoy it.
There
are no right or wrong ways to keep a gratitude journal. Everyone's will be
different. However, it is important that you are committed to the process and
the outcome, as well as make time for it on a regular basis.
