Gratitude Journaling

Keeping a gratitude journal is a popular practice in positive psychology - the scientific study of happiness. By writing at least 3-5 items or lines describing what you’re grateful for every day, you can give yourself a lasting mood boost that can take you from feeling “okay” to feeling “great” on a more regular basis.

No one can tell you what makes the cut for you and your particular circumstances, but there are some suggestions that might help if you are struggling in the beginning. As you will see, you can write about anything!

List five small ways that you can share your gratitude today.

Write about a person in your life that you’re especially grateful for and why.

What skills or abilities are you thankful to have?

What is there about a challenge you’re experiencing right now that you can be thankful for?

How is where you are in life today different than a year ago–and what positive changes are you thankful for?

List five body parts that you’re grateful for and why.

What about the city you live in are you grateful for?

What are you taking for granted about your day to day that you can be thankful for?

List 5 people in your life who are hard to get along with—and write down at least one quality for each that you are grateful for.

Practicing gratitude may increase overall feelings of happiness and reduce stress and depressive symptoms, particularly when the habit is maintained for at least a month.

Happy journaling!

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