I’ve spoken before about managing stress and how important decompressing after busy periods is. And, I think I’ve found a habit that’s easy to keep up that helps you to see the good in each day. Even when they’ve been a little testing.
At the start of this month, I tried to get in the swing of a new habit – completing my five-minute journal every day. It’s essentially a nifty way to get you to start your day thinking about three things you’re grateful for, and what might make it a good day. You’re also asked to jot down any helpful affirmations that could support you along the way.
At the end of the day, you then note what your three highlights were and what you learned that day.
I’ve previously written about gratitude practices such as noting three good things from your day as part of your night routine. But it’s not something I’ve personally tried until now. Yet, I can see why positive psychology experts are such big fans of it.
I’m already finding it helpful to see the good, even in managing stressful situations. I had a real headache with finding sleep experts recently as a couple let me down at the last minute. When I mentioned this to my editor, she suggested a great way to quickly find expert comment so I could file as planned.
Three weeks on from my first entry and it’s quickly becoming a daily habit that I look forward to. I think I’ve noticed a difference in how I’m now managing stress too so keeping a gratitude journal gets a big thumbs up from me.
Now, where did I put mine…