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 for you:
Have you considered starting a gratitude journal?
Again, there are health benefits to regularly expressing your gratitude. It is easy to keep a small notebook by your bed and take five minutes at the start or end of each day to jot down a few things for which you are grateful. There are also a plethora of websites that have gratitude journal prompts for those who prefer a more directed exercise.
We have some new, 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!!
Today’s journal entry is about “What Went Well.”
As you look back over your weekend,
name three things that went well.
Maybe the things you name are mundane; 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. Focus on the feelings that result(ed) from that positive element. Really 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.
That’s exactly what we’re doing,
building the habit of gratitude into our lives.
And today we’re over halfway through our gratitude challenge!! Thanks for being with us until now.
Hopefully you’re seeing the benefits of articulating your gratitude each day and will stay with us.
Until tomorrow!