Why You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal by C. Stuart Mauney, partner and mental health advocate with Gallivan, White & Boyd
Research suggests our minds are hardwired as negative. We have an innate tendency to pay more attention to the “bad” stuff in our lives. This negative bias can effect our relationships, decision-making, and the way we perceive others and the world around us. I recommend keeping a gratitude journal to help rewire the brain. Gratitude helps us connect with something larger than ourselves and acknowledge the goodness in our lives. I started keeping a gratitude journal earlier this year as a part of my morning routine, along with 10 minutes of meditation. This has helped promote positive thinking and build resilience. I suggest that every day you write something for which you are grateful. Be specific; if you are grateful for your dog, then write that, along with why you are grateful for your dog. The research is clear that both mindfulness/meditation and practicing gratitude are keys to good mental health.