Gratitude

I've read time and time again that it's very rewarding and helpful to keep a gratitude journal. It can help strengthen your emotional well-being and even reduce stress. It forces us to focus on all the positive things in our lives. I did try keeping one for a few months a few years ago but then I got busy and you know how that happens.

So what exactly are you supposed to write in a gratitude journal? Well, record who you love, what you love and what you love to do.

Here's a list of all the things that I am grateful for today:

• My healthy family
• The time I get to spend with my adorable nephew, Lucas
• My incredible friends (A lot of live so far away from me but we still keep in touch)
• An exciting new relationship : )
• My amazing music collection
• My two fabulous roommates
• My new love of running
• My resilient feet (through all the running and uncomfortable high heels, they heal quickly and are always ready for more)
• My new life in LA (Yes, this may be very general but I am grateful to be living in such a fun and crazy city)
• My car-I'm able to drive to San Diego all the time and an occasional trip back to Arizona
• Sunny days at the beach and/or the pool
• Long hot showers
• A glass of wine or a cold beer at the end of a long day
• 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep
• Books- I love reading so much and just wish I had more time for it
• All the fun trips I get to take to Vegas, AZ, D.C, San Diego, Santa Barbara. .
  
  

So, are you interested in starting a gratitude journal? Well, they tend to be most effective when you write about three items at the end of each day. This is regular enough and simple enough to be do-able, and writing at the end of the day tends to bring the best benefits. You may want to read over your journal entries in the future. This can be a great pick-me-up when you're feeling stressed or depressed. Experiment with the types of things you write about. If you find yourself always mentioning the obvious things every day, challenge yourself to notice the subtle things in life. Ok, your turn, what are you grateful for in your life?