Five Reasons to Start a Gratitude Journal

September 23, 2022 by 20 Comments

Did you know that Wednesday was World Gratitude Day? It got me thinking about the power of gratitude and the practice of keeping a gratitude journal.

While I’ve had a long-standing practice of noting 3 things I’m grateful for most evenings before bed, I’ve recently returned to keeping a physical gratitude journal. Since I think mental health is just as important as physical health, for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing some reasons why you might want to consider starting a gratitude journal.

Five Reasons to Start a Gratitude Journal

Mood Boost — When we focus on the positive things in life, our brains release dopamine and serotonin – two chemicals linked with feelings of well-being.  An added benefit – when we experience feelings of gratitude, stress hormones are modulated, reducing anxiety and depression

Improves Overall Health — A 2003 study found that people who kept gratitude journals reported fewer health complaints, fewer symptoms of physical illness, and more time exercising (which also leads to the release of dopamine and serotonin).

Better Sleep — For those of you who have laid awake ruminating over the events of the day or worrying about what might be coming tomorrow, taking time before bed to write down a few things you’re grateful for has been shown to help set you up for a better night of sleep. Reflecting on the day and making note of the positive moments (however big or small) helps to shift your focus from your worries and clear your mind for a more restful sleep.

Increases Self Esteem — Through the practice of writing down gratitude for what you have, you’re less likely to compare yourself to others, or to view yourself as “less than” or “not enough”. It can help you to build mental resilience against the negative situations you encounter.

Space for Reflection — On those days when things are not going so well, a gratitude journal can be a space for reflection. Reading through your journal entries can help serve as a reminder to you that you have great people and things in your life – helping to reframe your mindset.

How do you practice gratitude?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, gratitude

Thankful for Running

November 26, 2019 by 20 Comments

Running brings challenges.. successes both big and small…. it brings joy…and sometimes frustration.

It provides a quiet space to sort through a cluttered mind or a mix of emotions.

It opens a connection to others…who cheer, commiserate, and support – it brings friendships.

It presents an opportunity to answer the “what if’s”

Sometimes the steps come easy…often the steps come with great effort. I’m grateful for both…as long as the steps come.

I am thankful for running and all that it brings to my life.

I am linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics.

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Filed Under: gratitude, Tuesday Topics

Taking a Turkey Timeout

November 26, 2014 by 9 Comments

 

Happy-Thanksgiving

School break has started and I’ll be diving into my kitchen to start cooking shortly. I’m looking forward to a few days of relaxing and having time with my family. But before I sign off, I wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Quick note — There’s still time to get in on my WIN giveaway so don’t forget to enter!

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Filed Under: gratitude, Thanksgiving

Good Stuff Going On

November 17, 2014 by 7 Comments

Happy Monday!

The weekend went by way too fast for my liking (isn’t that always the way?) And this week is shaping up to be a busy one! Before I dive in, I wanted to share some fun stuff going on around the interwebs.

Women’s Running Telesummit — The International Association of Women Runners (IAWR) is hosting a Running Telesummit. The Telesummit features a great line up of speakers including my running coach Bennett Cohen, Jeff Galloway, Katherine Switzer, Sarah & Dimity from Another Mother Runner, and one of my fave bloggers Marcia from Marcia’s Healthy Slice.  The Telesummit starts today and runs until December 4th…and it’s free! Click HERE for details.

DC Trifecta’s Gratitude Challenge — Also kicking off today, Mar, Cynthia and Courtney (aka the DC Trifecta) is hosting a Gratitude Challenge on Instagram. Should be fun to see the different things people are grateful for!10404864_602419843218804_8831049627205448334_n

Holiday Sweat Challenge — Formerly known as the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge, this year Amanda from Run to the Finish is teaming up with Sweat Pink! This 6-week challenge is one of my favorites and with the addition of Sweat Pink, this should be fun!

Holiday Sweat Challenge 2014_thumb[2]

The Challenge starts on November 24. Click HERE for details and please say I sent you 🙂 (Disclosure: I received the Sweat Pink Ambassador discount).

What have you got going on?

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Filed Under: #holidaysweat, Challenges, gratitude, just having fun, running community

November’s Ultimate Coffee Date

November 1, 2014 by 12 Comments

It’s the first Saturday of the month so that means it’s time to join in on the Ultimate Coffee Date! This month I’m linking up with Coco at Running with Perseverance.  This is always a great time to catch up, so grab a mug and pull up a chair!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I started a new job last month! It’s a long-term consulting gig with a nonprofit – first time for me working in the nonprofit arena. It’s part-time hours and I can work from my home office – huge win!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that with the new job I’ve needed to shift my running time to o’dark thirty and boy am I struggling to get my face out of the pillow! Except for summer months, when I head out uber-early to beat the heat, I usually don’t run until post-school bus/mid-morning. But now I need to be out and back before my kids (and the sun!) are up. Too early

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that since I’ve made my decision about Philly, running has become a lot less stressful for me – definitely a sign that it was the right decision.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that our family is doing “30 Days of Thankful” where each day everyone will share at least one thing they’re thankful for. I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately, especially where my kids are concerned. As we head into the season of consumerism on overdrive (aka the holidays), I’m hoping to help them strike a balance.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I  haven’t been able to comment on other blogs for almost a week. So frustrating! I’ve been working with Akismet so my posts are flagged as spam. They keep telling me that they’ve fixed it but it’s still not working. So please know that I’m not being rude – hopefully I’ll be back to commenting soon 🙂 .

If we were having coffee together what would you tell me?

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Filed Under: early morning runs, gratitude, Ultimate coffee date

Thursday Thoughts – Gratitude

October 23, 2014 by 4 Comments

 

Gratitude

Too often it is too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, the doing, the to do lists that we forget to stop, breathe and be grateful.

Too often it is too easy to get frustrated by what is not happening, than to relish in all that currently is.

Too often it is the large-scale happenings that cause us to pause and give thanks, instead of celebrating the many small daily occurrences that make life truly special.

Every evening before I go to sleep, I take time to reflect on at least 3 things that I’m grateful for from that day – I can always come up with more than three…and more often than not, it’s the little things that make the list. For me it’s a nice way to end each day…to put things into perspective.

Do you have a gratitude practice? What are you grateful for today?

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Filed Under: gratitude, observations

Motivated by Gratitude

August 19, 2013 by 5 Comments

As I was out on my long run Saturday, one thought kept occurring to me – just how grateful I was…

Gratitude-Rock

… grateful for a beautiful morning with cool temps

… grateful for having my running buddy E to laugh (and groan) with

… grateful my hubs came out to check on us and bring fresh water

… grateful to not feel any pain in my lower back/hip

… just grateful to be out running, to be out doing something I’ve really come to love doing!

Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the “should of’s” of a run – it’s important to remember to just simply go out an enjoy the run, to enjoy what your body can do and worry less about what it “should” do.

So as I head out for this morning’s run I’m motivated simply, but deeply, by gratitude.

Happy Running!

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Filed Under: gift of running, gratitude, motivation

Some relief

April 21, 2013 by 8 Comments

What an incredible week it’s been here in the Boston area and now thanks to the amazing work of law enforcement it’s over. Yes, the investigations will continue, but for now people can breathe easier knowing that those behind the attacks on Monday can no longer cause more harm.

We can focus on healing, remembering those lost and continuing to help those most greatly impacted by the attack.

gratitude21I sit here on a quiet Sunday afternoon feeling very grateful – for those incredible people who worked tirelessly so the City of Boston can now breathe a little easier…
for family….
for friends… for the normalcy a routine brings….for the promise of the week ahead.

Here’s hoping we all have a peaceful week!

Happy Running!

 

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Filed Under: gratitude

Gratitude….

November 25, 2010 by 1 Comment
Gratitude …. 
unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, 
chaos into order, confusion to clarity….
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today 
and creates a vision for tomorrow.
                                                                           –Melody Beattie
Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
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Filed Under: gratitude, Quotes