GRATITUDE YEAR ROUND

BY DARLA MAKELA

Gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving Day: How to be thankful all year long.

I could start this article off with a simple question ’what is gratitude?’ however, I think we all know what gratitude is and what it looks and sounds like, right?

What you may not know is how important it is for you, and even more importantly, how to develop a habit of gratitude. One way to establish this is with a gratitude journal.

Why is gratitude journaling important?

Let's start with the Why:

Over the past couple of decades, much research has shown that the practice of gratitude has significant benefits for most every area of our lives. In Psychology Today we find seven benefits of practicing gratitude:

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.

2. Gratitude improves physical health.

3. Gratitude improves psychological health.

4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.

5. Grateful people sleep better.

6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.

7. Gratitude increases mental strength.

Another study shares that the practice of gratitude improved people’s mental health over time.

I am not sure about you but I know that I am all for being healthier, more confident, and feeling stronger in all areas of my life!

Now you might be wondering how to get started if you are not already practicing gratitude. I hear you! I was there about five years ago.

I had a little funk going on in some areas of my life. Not horrible…just not feeling as fulfilled as I wanted to be. My coach at the time suggested I start a gratitude journal.

Now, at that time, all I knew was that it would mean I would write things I was grateful for. Pretty simple, right? I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for my friends. I am grateful for my house, things like that. That is how I started.

Soon I found myself going a little bit deeper with entries such as: “I am grateful for new opportunities that allow me to spend my days doing what I love.” “I am grateful for my friend who helped me realize that I am worthy of my dreams”.

I began to not only acknowledge WHAT I was grateful for but HOW it was impacting my life.

I am hoping by this time you are excited to get started on your own gratitude journaling adventure. Here is what I recommend:

• Find a time of day that you will be most likely to journal every day. I love to start my day off with gratitude as it sets a good tone for the rest of my day. Others love to end their day in gratitude. There is no right or wrong, just whatever you will do consistently.

• Next, find a format that you will be excited to use every day. If you want to just write each day without any prompts, purchase a journal that brings you joy when you look at it and start writing. You may be surprised at how much you have to say when you sit down to write!

If you feel that you do better with prompts. there are many journals that you can purchase. Journals can take you through a practice of identifying what you are grateful for, how that has impacted your life, something that you are proud of, something that made you smile and a space to document your affirmation or encouraging quote of the day.

If you want to stick to digital you can find many gratitude apps on your phone that you can use to express your gratitude.

I always say that the best way is the way that you will actually use it.

The practice of gratitude journaling changed my life and I hope it changes yours too!