Gratitude is super trendy right now – it seems there is no shortage of posts about why you should keep a gratitude journal. I promote keeping a gratitude journal too! You’ll recall this post from back in November, but did you know that gratitude can have an effect on your physical heart? Let’s talk about 10 reasons you should be keeping a gratitude journal and how it affects your heart…
1. Reflecting on your gratitude can help you sleep better.
Better sleep promotes better heart function by keeping inflammation at bay.
2. Gratitude wards off depression.
Depression takes a physical toll on the heart by heightening blood pressure.
3. Being grateful often leads to better self-care.
Often it is found that people that are grateful are more apt to exercise and care for their physical health, no matter their “obstacles.”
4. Gratitude helps to connect outside of yourself.
Focusing outside of ourselves tends to release much pressure and negativity, promoting lower blood pressure and a more relaxed state of being.
5. Being grateful to your significant other promotes a better relationship.
Having a more intimate relationship with your spouse benefits not only your physical heart, but your emotional heart which always plays a role in better health.
6. Practicing gratitude journaling can promote higher energy levels.
Those with a higher energy level have a desire to care for themselves and accomplish more.
7. Journaling gratitudes can lead to permanent change.
When you journal your gratitudes, you are making a mindset shift, physically recognizing what you are grateful for and therefore making the change more affirming and visual.
8. Keeping a gratitude journal promotes better memory.
When your brain is in a more positive state (by gratitude) you will find it less foggy and that you retain more via memory than when in a negative state.
9. Gratitude leads to a better mood.
Who isn’t in a better mood when they are reflecting on what they are grateful for? Seriously.
10. Being in a grateful state of mind improves spiritual-wellbeing.
When you recognize what is going on outside of you and Who is responsible for the wonderful things you are grateful for, your spiritual state improves and uplifts you.
“That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”
Psalm 30:12 (ESV)
All of these things together are powerful reasons to record your daily gratitudes and all of them benefit your heart by lowering stress and inflammation, thus removing strain from your heart.
What are you grateful for today?
