10 Reasons to Keep a Gratitude Journal (By Mujiba Salaam Parker )


Below are 10 reasons why you should keep a gratitude journal:

1. Positive attitude and happier

When you are grateful you feel more optimistic about life in general because you are naturally looking for the good in every experience. Also, research by Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a leading expert on gratitude, shows that gratitude reduces toxic emotions, such as envy, resentment, frustration, and regret. This results in less depression and thereby increases happiness and joy.

According to HappierHuman.com, in a study of participants who kept a gratitude journal over time, the percentage of increase in happiness rose by 150% in only 5 months. The Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life project conducted by researchers at the University of California at Berkley and Davis discovered that grateful people feel less lonely and isolated. Lastly, according to Time.com, a 2003 study found that people who wrote about things they were grateful for were more optimistic and reported feeling better about themselves.

2. Good for your health

A team of researchers, led by Deepak Chopra and Alex Wood, examined a group of individuals with Stage B asymptomatic heart failure and determined that gratitude has an important role in spiritual well-being. More specifically, the researchers documented that an attitude of gratitude related to better mood and sleep, less fatigue, more self-efficacy, and lower cellular inflammation. In 2012, a study published in Personality and Individual Differences indicated that grateful people are more likely to take care of their health, exercise more often, and are more likely to attend regular check-ups with their doctors.

3. Helps advance your career

Expressing gratitude has been found to improve work performance. Researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study on how workers who received a pep talk and gratitude from their manager did more work than those who did not. So treating employees nicely with appreciation is not only a good thing to do, it will increase productivity. Gratitude helps people network, increases decision-making capabilities, and helps in getting new mentors and protégés. As such, being grateful helps you achieve your career goals and makes your workplace more friendly and enjoyable. Another study found that expressing thanks to your employees fosters a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. The same study further revealed a ripple effect of gratitude leading to increased trust amongst colleagues and more initiative to help each other at work.



4. Strengthens your relationship with God


In research done by Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. and his colleagues, those who regularly attend religious services and engage in religious activities such as prayer or reading religious materials were found to be grateful. As I have researched, multiple religions have numerous scriptures indicating how we should be more grateful to God for everything and by doing so, we will have a more rewarding life. The fact that so many scriptures are written about gratitude in relation to God suggests that being grateful must be very important. Being more grateful to God, draws us closer to Him as we understand that He is the source of our blessings. This causes God to reciprocate, as stated in the Bible in James 4:8, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." By acknowledging and thanking Him for His gifts and mercy, we strengthen our relationship with God.

5. Enhances empathy

A 2006 study in the journal Psychological Science found that people who expressed more gratitude were also more likely to help out others. A 2012 study by the University of Kentucky linked gratitude to greater empathy and lower aggression. In fact, the study participants with higher levels of gratitude behaved in a pro-social manner even when others behaved less kind.

6. You make friends more easily



Keeping a gratitude journal has been found to make you more likely to help others and to offer them emotional support. A 2014 study published in the journal Emotion revealed that students showing gratitude by writing and sending a note to a new mentor resulted in the mentor sharing their personal information with the students. These studies support that being grateful makes you more friendly and open to receive new friendships.

7. Improves self-esteem

In 2014, researchers who published a study in the Journal of Applied Sports Psychology found that gratitude increased self-esteem in athletes, which is key to optimal performance. Also, other studies have found that gratitude reduces social comparisons, and that grateful people appreciate the success of others. As mentioned earlier, gratitude reduces envy and resentment. Therefore, it correlates that grateful people would tend to not compare themselves to others.



8. Helps you recover from trauma


Gratitude has been shown to play a major role in overcoming trauma. For example, a 2006 study found that Vietnam War Veterans with high gratitude levels had lower rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Another study linked gratitude with fostering resilience for survivors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Being grateful for surviving the negative experiences helps you to move forward with a positive attitude.



9. You have better memories


The very nature of gratitude instills positivity in how we interpret various life experiences. As we keep a gratitude journal, we are creating a written record of these reflections. According to Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., one reason to keep a gratitude journal is to have a legacy gift for someone or yourself, to be able to look back at the source of the goodness in your life many years later.



10. You have better romantic relationships


A 2015 University of Georgia study found that saying thank you more often to and feeling appreciated by your spouse causes partners to feel closer, more committed, and have a greater mutual relationship satisfaction. And for couples who had financial and other problems, gratitude can actually reverse negative effects of conflict and promote positive marital outcomes. The study also discovered that having gratitude for a partner and receiving gratitude from one's partner results in better romantic relationships. A different study also reported that gratitude has lasting effects as the partners were more responsive to the other's needs, even up to nine months later.

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The Thank God Gratitude Journal is the perfect gift and tool to use to dramatically improve your life! Research has proven that gratitude is good for you in several ways. Also, holy scriptures guarantee that God rewards those who are grateful for His blessings. Go to http://www.ThankGodGratitudeJournal.com to receive your free video: "3 Keys to Abundance: How to Use a Gratitude Journal to Dramatically Improve Your Life!


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