It’s important to stop and take time to notice the good things in life – to take inventory of all the things that bring you joy, pleasure, or that even challenge you. That’s where gratitude journaling comes in. Feeling and expressing gratitude has been found to increase a person’s quality of life.
What is gratitude
Gratitude is an outlook that encourages you to take notice and feel appreciation for all the good in your life.
The practice of expressing gratitude is believed to help build better relationships and offers you both emotional and interpersonal benefits.
Gratitude has been found in clinical studies to boost a person’s optimism, life satisfaction, and overall sense of wellbeing.
Studies have shown that feeling grateful (including keeping a gratitude journal) offers many health benefits such as:
- increased feelings of happiness
- improved sleep
- lowered blood pressure
- reduced stress and anxiety
- better immune function
- healthy heart
- increased energy
- better eating habits
Gratitude journaling prompts
Here are 10 prompts for gratitude journaling that will help inspire new entries and appreciative reflection.
This is your time to get creative and allow gratitude to flow through you and fill your heart with joy.
1. I appreciate when…
2. I am so thankful for…
3. I show my gratitude by….
4. I experience joy when…
5. I am touched by the kindness of…
6. I feel loved because…
7. I express my appreciation by…
8. I feel happiest when…
9. I notice the smallest joys like…
10. I feel so much love for…
Take away
Research has found that being and expressing gratitude can improve your health, wellness, relationships, and make you a happier person.
Gratitude journaling has been found to be an effective way to express appreciation and it’s easy to do.
There are no rules with how you choose to journal. You can create lists on your phone, scribble down notes on the back of a napkin, or keep a notebook just for this exercise. Do whatever feels most natural for you.
Write freely and don’t focus on any typos or grammatical mistakes. The purpose of the exercise is not to create some literary marvel.
The purpose of gratitude journaling is to help you foster an awareness of your thoughts and feelings so that you can cultivate appreciation in all aspects of your life. One word at a time.