Why You Should Consider Starting a Gratitude Journal

If you were asked on the spot to list three things you are grateful for, what would they be?

For me, it would be Jesus, my family, and provision. I am in an exciting season of new adventures and I am absolutely joyful!

In seasons of joy we can usually always find things to be grateful for!

As I ponder these things, my mind wonders about those who don't know Jesus, have been abandoned by their families, or those who can't afford groceries this week.

In my counseling experience so far, I have learned that in a season of hardship, trials, suffering, or crisis it can be really hard to find any joy when your mind is focused on the problem. In this space-it is difficult to name anything at all to be grateful for.

It is absolutely fair for you to feel sad, angry, or frustrated when things are causing life as you know it to be difficult, overwhelming, or even seemingly impossible. And-it is ok for you to have feelings, emotions, thoughts, and opinions about what is happening to you.

Feel the feelings! Be angry, be sad, be frustrated. Express these emotions in a healthy way and give them to God. Pray about the situation and ask God the questions you have about it. Then take the time to reflect on what you are grateful for. Not only will this practice help you take your mind off of the burden of the problem, it has many additional health benefits.

In a research article titled The Neuroscience of Gratitude and its Effects on the Brain by Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury, practicing gratitude is encouraged in order to promote better overall health.

"Positive psychology and mental health researchers in the past few decades have established an overwhelming connection between gratitude and good health."

Gratitude promotes happiness

"When we express gratitude and receive the same, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, and they make us feel ‘good’. They enhance our mood immediately, making us feel happy from the inside."

Gratitude curbs anxiety

"In the book ‘Grateful Brain,’ author Alex Korb (2012) said that our brain is conditioned to function in a repeated way. For example, a person who worries too much about the adverse outcomes will subconsciously re-wire his brain to process negative information only. Korb has mentioned that our mind cannot focus on positive and negative information at the same time. By consciously practicing gratitude, we can train the brain to attend selectively to positive emotions and thoughts, thus reducing anxiety and feelings of apprehension."

Gratitude helps with pain

"Counting Blessings vs Burdens (Emmons & McCullough, 2003), a study conducted on evaluating the effect of gratitude on physical wellbeing, indicated that 16% of the patients who kept a gratitude journal reported reduced pain symptoms..."

There is so much more

"Keeping a gratitude journal causes less stress, improves the quality of sleep, and builds emotional awareness".

Here is a link to the article that provided all of this amazing research!

Here's an excellent resource for getting started!

Happy Journaling!