Studies show practicing an attitude of gratitude will enhance the quality of life. Check out nine reasons why writing a gratitude list sets this in motion for your life!
This post is all about 9 Powerful Reasons To Write A Gratitude List.
According to Harvard Health, giving thanks can make you happier, which means writing a gratitude list is essential for living a happy and fulfilled life! The definition of gratitude is the quality or feeling of being thankful.
When life takes unexpected twists and turns, gratitude can pull you out of the darkest times by reminding you of the positive things (no matter how small) you still have. A gratitude list can be a daily reminder to recognize and embrace all aspects of life, even the ones that feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Whether you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one or trying to keep your head above water with daily responsibilities, gratitude can keep you grounded in the present moment. Gratitude asks you to recognize every little thing and feel appreciation for it.
Maybe that day, it’s a warm shower or a delicious dinner that has you expressing gratitude. Write it down. Research shows the more you feel grateful, the healthier you’ll be mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, you’ll begin to focus your energy on what’s going right. Focus is the keyword for this practice because it takes discipline (especially in the beginning) to move your energy into appreciation mode. Let’s examine the nine reasons you should start writing a Gratitude List today!
9 Powerful Reasons To Write A Gratitude List
A Gratitude Quote To Remember:
“Gratitude is the law of increase, and complaint is the law of decrease.” – Florence Scovel Shinn
What Should Be On A Gratitude List?
Every little thing. This list will be personal to you, of course, but essentially, a gratitude list is a compilation of the things you are thankful for in your life. Some prefer to keep a gratitude journal to write down the positive aspects they experience each day. A daily gratitude list will help you be mindful of the small and big blessings. So, let’s dive into nine POWERFUL reasons why you should start a gratitude list TODAY.
1. Writing A Gratitude List Reduces Toxic Emotions
Things To Be Grateful For…
Having emotions and feelings are normal results of living life. The test is how we respond to life when negative things happen. Processing and dealing with emotions doesn’t have to be toxic.
Often the toxicity creeps in when we’ve lost sight of the truth. Our minds can play dirty tricks on us, which is usually a result of overthinking.
Writing a gratitude list can train the mind to focus on the positive aspects of any situation, even the most difficult ones. Insidious thinking can have damaging effects on our overall health. So, cut the toxicity and start writing a list of what you are grateful for. Maybe at that moment, you’re thankful for the birds you hear chirping outside.
Find any little thing to be grateful for, and you’ll start to feel better emotionally. And physically!
2. Helps You Deal With Adversity
Finding small things to be grateful for helps you overcome BIG challenges.
Expressing gratitude when life is going well is easy, but when dire times come knocking, you must dig your heels in and balance the dark with appreciation. When life feels dreary, practicing gratitude can help pull you to the other side.
Whatever adversity you may be experiencing (big or small), writing down a list of things you are grateful for in your life will change your point of thinking. Whether it’s a relationship ending or someone saying unkind things about you that aren’t true, having this list handy will remind you that all is not lost.
A Gratitude Quote To Remember:
“In the face of demoralization, gratitude has the power to energize. In the face of brokenness, gratitude has the power to heal. In the face of despair, gratitude has the power to bring hope. In other words, gratitude can help us cope with hard times.” – Robert Emmons
3. Gratitude Lists Offer Reality Checks
It’s All About Perspective.
Sometimes when we’re so focused on a problem, it can grow out of proportion. Even if there was a logical solution to overcoming that problem, we can’t even see a solution if our perspective becomes skewed. Becoming hyper-focused on what’s going wrong will diminish your viewpoint.
Stepping away from the issue causing you pain or discomfort and writing a gratitude list will give you a REALITY CHECK. For example, if you’re having a problem with a coworker or family member, back up from the situation and focus for just a few minutes on what you have to be grateful for at that moment.
It may not remove all of the uncomfortable feelings surrounding the issue, but you’ll realize that you have so many other things going right in your life. You won’t want to waste another second or beautiful day on people and things you have NO control over. Remember, it could always be worse.
4. Gratitude Builds Stronger Relationships
Gratitude Is The BEST Attitude.
Research shows gratitude helps us to maintain and STRENGTHEN our relationships. So often, we take the people we are closest to for granted because we think they’ll always be there. But, if we don’t foster these relationships with appreciation, the consequences can become irreparable.
So, write down what you LOVE and appreciate about the people in your life. Most importantly, TELL THEM. Strong relationships develop deep roots when they’re cared for and appreciated. That way, the relationship base is so solid and deep that when problems do arise, the most challenging times can’t shake it loose.
5. Increased Physical Well-Being
What Are Ten Things In Which You Are Grateful?
Can you write down ten things you are grateful for? Studies show that practicing gratitude can positively affect your physical well-being.
According to UC Davis Health, the practice of gratitude can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and facilitate more efficient sleep. Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at UC Davis, believes gratitude works because it allows people to enjoy the present moment while also becoming active participants in their own lives.
When you focus on what you have to be grateful for, you’re not wasting energy on the absence of what you don’t currently have. More research suggests writing a quick gratitude list for that day in the morning or evening is enough to start exercising this practice for increased well-being.
6. Gratitude Lists Improve Self Esteem
A To Z Gratitude List.
When you put your energy towards every little thing you are grateful for (from a to z), you’ll spend less time comparing your life to others, improving your self-esteem. Studies have shown gratitude reduces social comparisons.
So, instead of resenting people who “have more,” individuals who practice gratitude are better equipped to appreciate others’ accomplishments. Psychology Today reports that those who exchange self-pity for appreciation will increase their self-esteem. So, in a nutshell, stop feeling sorry for yourself and write a gratitude list.
7. Less Stress
A Gratitude List For Today And All The Days.
Research shows that when we express gratitude, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, enhancing our mood and making us happy. Gratitude also helps lower cortisol levels in our bodies by 23 percent, therefore assisting in preventing stress-related health problems.
These are GREAT reasons to start a gratitude journal for today and all the days!
A Gratitude Quote To Remember:
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
8. Gratitude Increases Productivity
Things I’m Thankful For…
With a new grateful outlook on life, you can experience more productivity in all areas of your life, specifically at work. A study by Glassdoor found that 81% of employees surveyed felt motivated to work harder when their boss showed appreciation.
And according to Lifehack, when you express gratitude for your life (as in writing lists), you become more process-oriented, raising your work’s quality. Because when you’re NOT wasting time on what’s NOT working, solutions to issues come easier, leading to more productivity and happiness.
9. Gratitudes Equal Less Jealousy
Squash The Root Of All Evil With Gratitude.
Sadly a lot of great relationships have ended due to jealousy. Some people unconsciously find fault in others rather than consciously focusing on the good in that individual. Finding faults in others makes some people feel more secure about their current situation.
BUT as we learned earlier, social comparisons become significantly less when a person focuses on gratitude. Writing a gratitude list points out all positive aspects in a person’s life instead of concentrating on LACK. If the individual is positively focused on what’s going well, they won’t have time to judge or compare their life to someone else’s.
Gratitude Quote To Remember:
“They are not jealous of what you have. They are jealous of what they perceive they can’t have.” – A Quote From Mindful Living
10. (Bonus Tip) More Gratitude Equals More Abundance
What Does A Gratitude List Mean?
Writing a gratitude list is a mindset you must feel deeply. Tuning into the feeling of gratitude will increase abundance in your life. If you don’t believe in the law of attraction, this probably isn’t the article for you.
It’s important to note you can’t feel gratitude and lack simultaneously; it’s like having one foot in each pile, which means you keep getting a little bit of both. If you want to improve conditions in your life, you have to take a leap of faith. Just try it for 21 days—Twenty-one days of focusing on gratitude and every single blessing you have.
If money’s tight, focus on being grateful for the bills you can pay. If you have a health condition, focus on the conditions in your body that are going well. They say it takes 21 days to form a new habit, but if that feels overwhelming, start with three days of being grateful. And most importantly, have patience with yourself.
Gratitude Quote To Remember:
“It’s a simple formula that will transform your life. Say it out loud, write it down, think it, feel it, breathe it. Gratitude. Come from a place of thankfulness with every step you take. Stop focusing on the problems; focus on the solution. An abundance in gratitude equals an abundance in life.” – Brianna Smalley
FAQs And Tips For Writing A Gratitude List
What Are Gratitude List Examples?
- I’m grateful for my home.
- I love my beautiful and safe neighborhood.
- My dog.
- Walks.
- Coffee.
Tip: Play This A To Z Gratitude List Game For Adults And Kids
Go through the alphabet and think of something you’re grateful for using each letter. This is a great way to engage kids, especially in the morning during school dropoff. For example, the letter “A” could mean I’m grateful for this awesome day.
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Daily Gratitude Practice?
If you skipped the nine (+) reasons listed above, here’s a quick recap:
- Reduces toxic EMOTIONS.
- Helps you deal with ADVERSITY.
- Offers REALITY CHECKS.
- Builds stronger RELATIONSHIPS.
- Increased PHYSICAL well-being.
- Improves SELF-ESTEEM.
- Less STRESS.
- Increases PRODUCTIVITY.
- Less JEALOUSY.
- More ABUNDANCE.
Tip: There Is Always Something To Be Grateful For.
What Does It Mean To Have An Attitude Of Gratitude?
It means you’re mostly tuned into the feeling of gratitude, which means your attitude is thankful. Even when tough times hit, you can see what’s still going right.
Tip: Gratitude Lists Are Reminders That It Could Always Be Worse.
What Are 10, 50, Or 100 Things You Are Grateful For?
Sit down with a piece of paper and start writing ten things you’re grateful for in your life. If the list flows easily, try to get to 50 or, better yet, 100!
What Should I Write In A Daily Gratitude Journal?
You can write whatever you want as long as you remember to highlight the simple things. Not every day is perceived as a big blessing to most, but in fact, it is because living, breathing, and writing are blessings in themselves. Things can change so quickly in life, so remember to honor every small thing.
Final Thoughts On 9 Powerful Reasons To Write A Gratitude List
Research confirms that writing gratitude lists have powerful benefits. While this article didn’t hit on every reason, it highlighted some significant advantages that may have surprised you!
Share this article with anyone you feel might benefit from practicing the attitude of gratitude. You can follow career girl meets… on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more home decor ideas, recipes, and gift guides.
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