This new trendy idea seems cute and started around when Covid was first arising. The idea of putting a scrap of paper every single night of something good that happened or something you’re grateful for. This idea isn’t only just cute and a way to reminisce as you crack open the jar and read your highlights of the year on New Year’s.  

But also, a way to keep you on track with your mental health, goals, and the little good in each day.   

“Expressing gratitude can positively change your brain,” says Kristin Francis, MD, a psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. “It boosts dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters in the brain that improve your mood immediately, giving you those positive feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being.”  

These have shown that assessing things you’re grateful for boosts day to day mood and can also: 

• Improve sleep quality 
• Improve emotional regulation  
• Increase feelings of happiness and good mood.  
• Foster hope for the future  
• Reduce stress, burnout, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder 
• Increase resilience  

Throughout history, philosophers have extolled gratitude as a vital necessity to health and well-being. Now, through a recent movement called positive psychology, mental health professionals are taking a close look at how virtues such as gratitude can benefit our health. And they’re reaping some promising results.  

Increased happiness, reduced depression, mindfulness and strength when facing adversity are all great benefits of this. Who wouldn’t want a better night’s sleep and stronger mental health? This is a quick and easy way to do self-care and mental health checks with yourself.  

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