Woodlake Addiction Recovery Centers

09/10/2023

03/14/2020

Studies have shown that the feelings of gratitude or thankfulness helps people release negative emotions and allows our brains to produce dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone that makes us feel happier.
Here are other benefits of journaling about our thankfulness:
• Aids positive mindset
• Better sleep habits
• Decreased anxiety
• Helps you realize what’s important to you
• Improved immune function
• Improved self-esteem
• Positive attitude towards yourself and others
• Reduces stress
• Strengthens relationships with other
Gratitude is an emotion that expresses appreciation and thankfulness. Keeping a gratitude journal to write down your experiences and feelings can be good for your health physically and mentally. Journaling can also help your healing process or aid your journey in recovery.
Here are other benefits of journaling about our thankfulness:
 Aids positive mindset
 Better sleep habits
 Decreased anxiety
 Helps you realize what’s important to you
 Improved immune function
 Improved self-esteem
 Positive attitude towards yourself and others
 Reduces stress
 Strengthens relationships with other
Another benefit to journaling is the ability to look back and remind yourself of times that you felt thankful and happy. On the days that you feel a little down, reading your gratitude journal can help lift your mood.
There is no right or wrong way to start or maintain your gratitude journal. But here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Pick a private place free for distractions
2. Set time aside to document your feelings
3. Try to start a regular schedule when to journal
4. Throughout the day, keep a pen and paper with you, so you can write down feelings or moments you would like to add to your journal.