Gratitude journaling is incredible because it’s a healthy way to navigate what’s going on inside you. It’s something I prescribe to my clients and even went as far as to create an entire app dedicated to building this healthy habit.
The practice of gratitude journaling literally changes the brain. Thanks to neuroplasticity, you can actively take part in shaping your neural pathways. Gratitude practice helps serve this purpose because it activates the part of the brain responsible for regulating emotions, positively impacting your ability to handle negative emotions. It triggers your brain to reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, and activates the reward center of our brain which makes us feel happier and more content.
The more you make a habit of gratitude practice, the stronger these neural pathways form. The end result you will experience is increased resiliency in tough circumstances. More joy, more compassion, reduced stress, and a deeper relationship with yourself and others.