There have been many studies that indicate there is a link between gratitude and an overall sense of well being. Keeping a joy journal, or a gratitude journal, is a great way to practice natural stress relief. Writing alone helps you to release all your bottled-up emotions and feelings, as well as help to find what is at the root of your stress or what could emotionally be holding you back from reaching your goals.
The definition of gratitude is: gratitude is the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself; it is a general state of thankfulness and/or appreciation.
So keeping a gratitude or joy journal can really help to show you what you really are grateful for and it can help you to appreciate the little things that little bit more. Why not start a joy journal today?
Start by writing 3 things that have brought you joy within your day. More often than not it is the people closest to you that notice its effects first. You may seem generally happier, being able to manage “emergencies” better. Your aura may just come across as so much calmer and resilient. Journaling is a very personal journey, each person has their reasons on why they journal and the way they journal. You may start a journal to follow patterns in mood or behaviour or just to store memories to look back on and relive exactly what you felt on the day.
When you are journaling, ultimately you are clearing out your subconscious, just putting the pen to paper and letting the ink flow. You may be surprised by what you uncover. Journaling can also provide a way to release some of your emotions without having to share your inner, most private thoughts with other people in your life. If something is bothering you but you don’t feel comfortable talking about it you can make a note of it in your journal instead. You may choose to share it with someone further down the line but if not you have released it, so hopefully it will stop niggling away at you.
You may be someone who has different journals for different things or you might be the complete opposite and have one journal where you store everything and anything. Whichever your preferred method may be, many people start journaling for self improvement and personal development, others choose to just capture the day's events. If you are someone who wants to start journaling make sure you use your journal on a regular basis. If you can, try to make notes in your journal every day. If that isn’t a realistic goal for you, try to aim for a few times a week, this can also be just as beneficial.
What spills out may also include anything; your life goals, business tasks, and to-do lists. Maybe even a plan of action for your meals and movement, it all depends on your goals and what you are trying to achieve.
