The Power of Gratitude

I have been seeing clients through these COVID times and a lot of women have been struggling with feelings of anxiety and depression. These may be feelings that they already had, new feelings, or feelings that are just exacerbated by the recent events in the world and the new task of homeschooling our children combined with the lack of alone time, resources for self care and worry about the future.

If this is you I have an activity for you to try!

Gratitude Journaling

So, there are actual scientific studies on the power of gratitude. These studies have shown that by writing down these things we are grateful for, we feel happier in general. Being mindful about the things we are grateful for also can cause a rush of serotonin and dopamine (which are the feel good neurotransmitters in our brains)!

I encourage my clients to journal for 21 days straight and relay back to me how they feel. Studies show that it can take up to 21 days for form a habit, so let’s make this one stick.

Here’s how to do it.

Grab a journal. It can be your journal you already keep or one specific to gratitude. You can find fun ones on Amazon. There are even journals with prompts if you are worried about needing a little extra guidance. Write down three things you feel grateful for every night before bed. That’s it!

Remember that the things you are grateful for do not need to be big. Actually the smaller stuff sometimes can be more meaningful.

One of my favorite things to acknowledge gratitude for is when a 90’s hip hop song comes on the radio! Or that feeling when you leave a super cold air conditioned building and walk into the heat and that body defrost happens. The little things that bring you joy! Maybe my kiddo said something nice to me or did a chore without asking. These are all worthy of gratitude. 

Sounds easy enough, right?!

Recent studies have even found that people who are more grateful have better sleep! Which is another complaint I have heard from people recently. They’re not sleeping! So journaling at night can help you to have a better night of sleep. But I digress.

Are you ready to take my challenge? But the power of gratitude to work for you by commenting with three things you are grateful for today!