Practicing gratitude can actually change your brain chemistry
to make you a happier person.
The simple act of expressing your appreciation creates new pathways in your brain and produces serotonin and dopamine, two chemicals that are responsible for making you happier. Consequently, people who express their gratitude regularly are happier than those who keep it to themselves; so let’s express our thanks, shall we?
We are going to do that through another journal entry, but before we get to the journal question, here’s another one:
Have you considered starting a regular gratitude journal?
Again, there are health benefits to regularly expressing your gratitude!
It is relatively easy to keep a small notebook by your bed. The hard part is discipling yourself to take just five minutes at the start or end of each day to jot down a few things for which you are grateful.
If you want more directed exercises (like our 2-Week Challenge), there are also a plethora of websites that have gratitude journal prompts.
We have some brightly colored soft-cover journals imprinted with the Body Moves logo for sale in the studio that are just $10. Pick one up after class, and you’ll be doubly inspired to journal!
Wherever you do it, whatever you do it in, for however long you do it, just start! It’s a habit you won’t regret.
Today’s journal entry is about “What Went Well.”
As you look back over your weekend,
name three things that went well.
Maybe the events seem mundane and your reasons for gratitude insignificant. Maybe they are extraordinary. Maybe they were small nuggets in a larger event, or maybe it was the event itself. It doesn’t matter; just focus on the positive, even if a silver lining is all you can find (but we’re hoping there is more!).
The key to making this practice as beneficial as possible is to take your time with it. Pick something you really are thankful for, even if it’s small. Focus on the feelings that result(ed) from that positive element. Reflect on those good things and feel the gratitude for them. This may seem trivial or uncomfortable at first, but it’s an important part of recognizing the positive. The more you do it, the easier and more natural it will be.
By doing this regularly (daily),
we will build the habit of gratitude into our lives.
Just think, today we’re over halfway through our gratitude challenge!!
That’s seven days more of practicing gratitude than perhaps you’ve had in a year!
Thanks for being with us until now!
We trust you’re seeing the benefits of articulating your gratitude each day
and will stay with us to the end.
Until tomorrow!