Parent Magazine St. Johns November 2019 | Page 15

researcher found that the group who kept a nightly gratitude journal reported waking up feeling more refreshed than usual. This group also reported feelings of deeper connections with others in contrast to the group that did not keep a nightly gratitude journal. Lastly, a study conducted by a group of Chinese researchers found that people who expressed gratitude on a daily basis (not necessarily in a journal), reported having better sleep and experienced fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety that can surface as a result of chronic stress. Now, as a full time step-mother of a 16- year-old girl and a nine - year-old girl, a full-time mother of a six -year- old boy, a part-time substitute teacher and mindfulness educator, I can tell you it’s challenging to remember to express gratitude on a daily basis. It can be done, but most challenging when your plate is quite full. I am offering four suggestions below to help make this a more successful to-do on your to- do list. 1 Offer expressions of gratitude in your daily prayers or meditation practice at night or in the morning (this is a practice I do at night) for even the basic but vital things—the clean air we breathe, the food on our table, the roof over heads, healthy children, supportive family members and friends, etc. 2 Keep a journal with a pen at your bedside so that upon waking or just before bed you can jot down at least three things to be grateful for that day or in life. 3 Express daily gratitude towards yourself by acknowledging all your hard-work and accomplishments that day even if it is as simple as getting out of bed. Or, if you’re a mom to a newborn infant, getting a shower in that day! 4 Keep a post-it on your mirror with three or four things in life you are grateful for so that while you’re brushing teeth, putting on makeup, etc. you can be reminded of these on the daily. In summary, it can be challenging but it can be done and the benefits one reaps from expressing gratitude daily are wonderful. Remember, when you express gratitude daily, you are re-wiring your brain to be healthier and happier, as a result, you begin perceiving your world in a much brighter way. Now that’s something to be grateful for! S T. J O H N S parent M A G A Z I N E | 13